Equity and KCB crowned Eldoret volleyball tournament champs

Equity Bank and KCB banked titles in the 2024 edition of Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball tournament on Sunday.

Equity Bank were crowned champions in the senior men’s event, after beating Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in a tough five-set contest staged at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.

The bankers went home with the tournament’s Sh500,000 top prize after winning 3-2 against rivals KPA.

Equity won the first, third and the final sets in 25-17, 25-23 and 17-15, while their rivals KPA controlled the second and fourth sets (25-17 and 25-22).

Top teams in the three-day tournament that served off on Friday and came to a close yesterday said the tough battle signaled thrillers at the Kenya Volleyball Federation national league earlier next year.

Clubs that went past the quarter-finals tested their newly signed players at the Eldoret showdown.

Equity’s new players Gregory Kiprono, Onesmus Muema and Kevin Wanjala got an opportunity to shine and help the banker shine in Eldoret.

Their captain Wilson Cheruiyot said the new signings passed the test.

“Going into the KVF national league in January, our main duty will be to gel the team so that we blend well with the new players. The Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International tournament volleyball was tough and we did not expect to win. The win means that we are a strong side and we hope to train even harder,” Cheruiyot said after the final.

He added: “We also have a new coach and we are happy with the progress. The win is a big motivation.”

Equity’s new head coach Patrick Owino said his side was well organised.

“We were not perfect and we are going back to the drawing to make things better. My next major assignment is the KVF league and I expect to prepare the players well.”

KDF settled for the third place after winning against GSU in the playoff.

Like Equity Bank’s men, KCB women deposited half a million after beating the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to be crowned champions of the 14th edition of the Eldoret International tournament.

KCB which defended their title in the tournament founded by veteran volleyball coach Paul Bitok defeated the crime busters 3-1 in a tough battle.

KCB captain Edith Wisa,Fridah Boke and Terry Tata played their part in ensuring the win.

“The future is bright for us and we elated to have been crowned champions and for defending the title,” Wisa said.

Coach Patrick Sang of DCI said his side was buoyed by the second position in Eldoret and that his side was ready for the KVF national league.

“The second place meant that we are capable of lifting the national league trophy. We thank the DCI led by our Director for the great support,” the coach said.

Kenya Pipelines women’s squad was third after beating Kenya Prisons.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya used the three days to carry out sensitization among volleyball players.

Ugandan teams among them KCCA, Memostars and KAVC competed in the Eldoret tournament.

Tournament’s patron KIpchumba Karori thanked sponsors for supporting the event and thanked more than 100 teams, including schools that participated.

“We are now in the 14th edition and our dream is to play in an indoor arena by the time we are staging the 20th event because we have to attain international standards and live up to our billing,” Karori said.

Eldoret’s Huruma took the self-supporting teams crown after defeating Jevic 3-1 (25-19, 14-25, 25-21 and 25-22) while Kipkaren emerged champions after beating Divas 3-2 (22-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-27 and 15-13).