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Kenya back in camp after weekend break

July 12, 2005 - The national women's Volleyball team of Kenya resumed training at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Monday after a brief weekend break.

The team is preparing for the 2006 Women’s World Championships first round tournament in Africa – Pool B, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from July 20-24, where five teams will compete for the last African slot in the prestigious Japan 2006 finals; the organizers Kenya, Algeria, DR Congo, Congo Brazaville and Eritrea.

Competition for the 12 places in the Kenya side is stiff as the 16 players in the provisional squad step up their quest to make it to the final team for the five nation tournament.

Head coach David Lung'aho said all the players had reported to camp. He said he would watch them closely before deciding who would be omitted on Saturday. "We are thinking about nothing but the championship," said Lung'aho. He confirmed that Telkom's Jackline Barasa has been dropped from the provisional squad after she failed to report to camp last week. The coach said Barasa had indicated that she would not be available for team training.

The tournament will see five nations battle to out to join Egypt and Cameroon who have already advanced to the final round after winning their respective first round tournaments.

Kenya are the pre-tournament favourites. With the absence of rivals Egypt, they stand a chance of making it to the World Championship finals, which will be held in Japan in November next year, for a third time. The visitors are expected to start jetting in from Saturday.

Story by The Nation