Writers fete Volleyball star Kosirai
By edwin-otieno, June 21, 2023
Wafalme Stars middle blocker Simion Kipkorir has been named the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month of May for making history as the first Kenyan player to win the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men’s club championship.
The 25-year-old becomes the second volleyball player to receive the award this year, after women’s league MVP Pamela Adhiambo. The feat earned him a brand new LG NANOCELL TV “55 Inch” that retails at Kshs 120,000.
LG’s EA Marketing Director Changh-Yun Kim expressed delight in seeing the continuation of the award that recognizes excellence in all sporting disciplines for Kenyan athletes who have repeatedly proven that the country is a talent hub.
“From our branding perspective and our obligations to the community, this award gives us a lot of fulfilment and we see a positive impact in disciplines that have over the years put the country on the world map,” Changh-Yun Kim noted.
The MS Boussalem (MSB) player who was instrumental in guiding his Tunisian side to the title against favourites Zamalek in a five-set thriller was named the continent’s best blocker, another first for a Kenyan in the men’s competition, and made the championship’s dream team.
Kipkorir, a former General Service Unit (GSU) skipper, nicknamed ‘Kosirai’ joined the Tunisian giants on a one-year deal in September last year from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ibtisam where he had been utilized as an opposite hitter.
MSB battled from two sets down to beat Zamalek Volleyball 3-2 (20-25,22-25,26-24,25-23,15-12) to win the title on their debut in the continental competition, their remarkable comeback ending Zamalek’s hopes for a treble this season having earlier won the Egyptian league and cup competitions.
Kosirai had captained GSU since 2019, having joined the Gideon Tarus-coached national champions in 2017 after a three-month stint with the Ulinzi volleyball team. He is part of a squad that has lifted the coveted national title five consecutive seasons.
An alumnus of Malava Boys High and Cheptil Boys with whom he won two national school titles in 2014 and 2016, Kosirai beat other talented athletes to the May award including fellow volleyballer Trizah Atuka who was named the best middle blocker in the women’s version of the African club games as her side Kenya Pipeline settled for silver.
His toughest competitor for the prestigious gong was, however, Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga who in the month of May scored five goals, four in their final match against Shamal to help his side Al Duhail clinch the Qatar Star League (QSL) title.