Kenya Volleyball Federation confirmed that indeed a number of the women's team, Malkia Strikers are pregnant.
The Federation, in a statement, stated that the volleyball team shall, however, take part in the forthcoming world championships despite being affected by expectant players.
Earlier, there were reports that the national women volleyball team could miss taking part in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Japan over the pregnancies but the coach denied the claims.
[caption caption="Part of the Malkia strikers team(PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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“We also want to note that the aforementioned players (Brackides Agala, Esther Wangeci, Lydia Maiyo, Mildred Odwako and Ruth Jepngetich) served the national team in the best possible way during their time but have not been drafted in the provisional squad currently training at the Kasarani indoor stadium ahead of the international tournament," stated the Federation in a statement.
At least six playmakers in the team are reportedly expecting babies or had delivered in recent days.
They indicated that "it is really uncalled for to say the team is handicapped when as a country we have amazing talent to choose from."
However, the team head coach Japheth Munala's position does not marry the federation's statement.
In an interview aired on KTN News on Wednesday, Munala dismissed having dropped players over pregnancies ahead of the championships in September.
"The six players we left out were not dropped because of pregnancy. They were not in good form and we could not see improvements in their game forcing us to leave them," stated Munala.
He insisted that preparation and training for the tournament were top gear and not even injuries have been witnessed in his squad.
Munala added all players undergo medical tests and his team had successfully gone through the checks to ensure they were fit for the rigorous training at the Kasarani stadium.
The coach hopes to announce the team to play in Japan early in September two weeks before the tourney's kick off.
Among the four key players dropped are seasoned volleyballers who have been part of the team for the past half a decade, competing at international events including the Africa Cup of Nations.
[caption caption="Malkia Strikers with head coach (PHOTO/COURTESY)"]
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