NAIROBI, Kenya, April 24 – Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball team captain Edith Wisa says she has grown as a person ever since she first wore the armband in 2021.
Wisa said the captaincy has improved her confidence and transformed her into a better leader than before.
“I joined KCB in 2019 and I was the captain from 2021. I would say it has been a great experience for me. I have faced a number of challenges but at some point it gives me a lot of confidence because I have to lead the team from the front. It builds a lot of character and gives you a lot of courage to be able to lead from the front,” the middle blocker said.
Wisa joined the bankers in 2019 from Kenya Prisons and has so far won the Africa Volleyball Club Championships in 2022 as well as the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) national women’s league title last year – after a 15-year wait.
Another chance for glory awaits them in Cairo, Egypt where KCB will be one of three Kenyan teams in action at this year’s continental championships in Cairo, Egypt.
The bankers have unfinished business in North Africa, having relinquished their title at last year’s edition in Kebilia, Tunisia where they finished fifth.
Without the baggage of defending their title as was the case two years ago, the skipper believes the odds are properly lined for the bankers to have a go at the throne.
“In 2022, we were the champions and last year we came back as number five. Right now, we are going there as any other team…we don’t have any pressure. Being a champion comes with a lot of pressure because you have to defend that trophy but for us we are going there to reclaim it and bring it back home,” Wisa said.
Banking on youth and experience
Coach Japheth Munala has named a blended team of experience and youth.
Alongside Belinda Barasa, and Elizabeth Mariana, Wisa will anchor the middle as the blockers, while Mercy Moim, Mariam Musa, Juliana Namutira, and Sharleen Maywa take charge as dynamic left attackers.
Defensively, all eyes will be on Lincy Jeruto and Josephine Wafula who will be tasked as liberos as well as setters Esther Mutinda and Sheila Wabwile and super sub Pauline Chemutai.
The returning Sharon ‘Chumba’ Chepchumba and debutant Deborah Jepsang will marshall the opposite attacking role.
Wisa has given the squad a stamp of approval.
“For the junior players who will be playing in the competition for the first time, they are going to get experience, which is a very good thing for them. We had a local tournament recently where they were given a chance to play and showed they are up to the task. That’s why the coaches believed in them and were given a chance to travel,” she said.
The comeback of Chumba is also a cause of optimism for Wisa who says her national team counterpart has fit into the side like a hand to a glove.
“We thank God for her return to the team…she is a good player. She has been there with us before and her coming back is a big boost for us. We look forward to her perform better even though she has just come back from injury. According to how she has trained with us, we know she is going to do well for the team,” she said.
The continental competition commences April 24-May 5 with Kenya Prisons and Kenya Pipeline the other representatives of the country.
