Boost for Kenyan sides as Africa gets greenlight to feature at World Volleyball Club Championships

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VOLLEYBALL Boost for Kenyan sides as Africa gets greenlight to feature at World Volleyball Club Championships

Joel Omotto 16:35 - 06.07.2023

The sport’s governing body FIVB has increased participating teams to eight with the African champions set to be among them.

Kenyan teams can now look forward to participating in the World Volleyball Club Championships following changes made by the sport’s governing body FIVB.

According to the changes, the competition will have participating teams increased to eight from six from 2024 with Africa given one slot.

“In recognition of the development of African volleyball, the Board of Administration approved including the winner of the CAVB Club Championship in future editions of the FIVB Club World Championships for both men and women,” FIVB said via a statement on its website.

“Starting from 2024, the qualification for the Club World Championships will be as follows: two places per continent for Europe, Asia, and South America; one place for Africa; and finally, a club from the host nation will be granted a place. 

"This change aims to ensure the fair representation from different continents and provides an opportunity for the host country to participate in the tournament.”

The change is a win for Kenyan clubs, especially Kenya Prisons, KCB, and Kenya Pipeline women’s sides, who are perennial participants at the CAVB Africa Club Championships where they are always among the favourites.

KCB are the current African champions but the changes have come late for them as they will have to watch the 2023 global edition from afar as they plot to defend their title which will earn them a place in the 2024 global tournament.

African clubs were previously allowed to participate in the World Volleyball Club Championships until their low rankings saw them locked out.

Prisons, who won the African Club Championships in 2013, are the last Kenyan club to have participated in World Volleyball Club Championships when Africa still had a slot at the event.

The changes will also serve as extra motivation for Kenyan male clubs who have not enjoyed much success on the continent as much as their female counterparts.