Nairobi, Kenya, May 3, 2016 – Kenya’s rising volleyball star Violet Makuto is among the players selected by coach David Lungaho and his assistant Japheth Munala that will compete in two important competitions this year – the World Olympic Qualification Tournament and the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.
The 23-year-old Makuto earned a call-up to the senior squad following impressive performances in club and international competitions in the past year.
Last year, she led the junior national team in the African Games in Brazzaville. She recently won an award as best blocker for Kenya Pipeline in the African Women’s Club Championship in Tunisia.
In an interview by David Kwalimwa for Daily Nation, Makuto expressed that she is pleased with her inclusion to the line-up.
“I am happy about the call-up to the national team,” Makuto said. “I would use this big platform to make up for our loss at the club championship.”
Makuto has the passion for the game, as volleyball runs deep in her veins. Violet is the younger sibling of former national team standout Asha Makuto and France-based Everlyne Makuto.
Meanwhile, Europe-based stars Brackides Agala and Esther Wangeci, alongside Kenya Pipeline veteran setter Janet Wanja will also be part of the team.
The team will begin their training at Safaricom Indoor Arena on Wednesday, then they will start their journey to Puerto Rico for the World Olympic Qualification Tournament, where they will face hosts Puerto Rico, Algeria and Colombia for the single ticket available for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August.
Kenya coach Lungaho has his eyes set on getting the Olympic slot to follow-up on their two consecutive appearances in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
"We are going flat out to qualify for the Olympics," said coach Lungaho.
After the Olympic qualifiers, the team will travel to Argentina for the start of the World Grand Prix Group 2 competition on June 3 to 5, when they will compete with Bulgaria, the Dominican Republic and hosts Argentina.
The team intends to achieve back-to-back success at the World Grand Prix, after they won the Group 3 competition last year, which got them the promotion to their current group.
Team Kenya
1. Mercy Moim (captain)
2. Noel Murambi
3. Jane Wacu
4. Janet Wanja
5. Violet Makuto
6. Esther Wangeci
7. Everlyne Makuto
8. Monica Biama
9. Brackides Agala
10. Edith Wisa
11. Triza Atuka
12. Elizabeth Wanyama
13. Agripina Kundu