Paul Bitok challenges Junior Malkia striker to bring home U20 Volleyball title
By Luke Oluoch, August 11, 2025Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Deputy President Paul Bitok has thrown down a challenge to the Junior Malkia Strikers as they prepare to face Cameroon in the ongoing 2025 Women’s U20 African Nations Volleyball Championship in Cameroon.
The Kenya U20 volleyball team is on the verge of continental glory after downing Egypt in 3-0 sets in a semifinal clash staged on Sunday, August 10, 2025, to advance to the finals.
The win saw the hosts book a date against Cameroon on Monday, August 11, 2025, in the finals at the Yaounde Sports Complex.
Bitok has challenged the team under the leadership of Jackline Barasa to give their all and bring the honours back to East Africa.
Trophy home
“We wish the girls and the technical team all the best as they face the winner between Cameroon and Senegal. We believe in your talent, teamwork, and fighting spirit; bring the trophy home.” Bitok said, as quoted by NOCK.
In what was a rematch of their group stage clash against the North Africans. Kenya cemented its dominance over Egypt with a straight three-set of
After battling to narrowly edge the Egyptians in the first two, the third set proved a real test after the mercurial attacker Terry Tata of the KCB Women’s Volleyball team pulled off in the fag end following an awkward landing.
Her brief absence made for a tense finale to the third set as Egypt almost clawed back from three points down to catch up with Kenya at game point.
Kenya had successfully dealt with the rival’s test by defeating the North Africans in their Match Day 5 encounter.
The junior strikers edged the fancied rivals in a 3-1 set of 3-1 (25-21, 31-33, 25-19, 25-21).
The tie was part of an impressive group stage cruise from Kenya that also included wins against Uganda and Burundi U20 sides.
Meanwhile, action now shifts to Tuesday’s finals, where Kenya will be out to avenge an earlier loss to Cameroon.
Heading to World championship
The fancied hosts rank as the tournament favorites, having handed the Junior Malkia Strikers their first defeat on a 3-1 scoreline on match day 2 on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Regardless of the result, Jackline Barasa’s team will, however, take pride in sealing qualification to the 2026 FIVB U20 World Championship.
The team achieved the feat upon reaching the finals of the continental games with a victory over Egypt.