By A, KNA
Winners in the men’s and women’s senior category of this year’s second edition of the Kipchumba Karori International Eldoret Volleyball Tournament 2025 will pocket Sh1 million; last year’s winners bagged Sh500,000.
The event, which is set to take place from December 18 to December 21, will serve off simultaneously at three venues- Eldoret Polytechnic, Wareng High School and Eldoret Sports Club.
The event which was launched Friday in a Nairobi hotel, was attended by event patron Kipchumba Karori, Member of Parliament Kuresoi North Alfred Mutai, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF ) officials led by president Charles Nyaberi, Deputy President and also the event coordinator Paul Bitok, Treasurer Benard Musumba, National Sports Organising Secretary John Oronje and Branch officials, Team Managers, Coaches and players.
Also in attendance were sponsors led by the main sponsor SportyBet.Ke Country Marketing Manager Diane Maina who donated Sh4 million towards the tournament.
Speaking during the launch, the event patron Karori observed that stadiums were being built across the country and thus the need to tap the talent from the grassroots.
“I call upon the event organisers to exempt the primary (Sh1000) and secondary (Sh2000) schools from paying the registration fee and those who had paid to be refunded their money. Also, I urge that the registration period be extended to December 15 from December 11, which was earlier communicated,” Karori said.
The KVF President, Nyaberi, said the first edition was historic as it recorded 186 teams, and the second edition would likely attract more entrants, which shows that the event is slowly but surely gaining momentum.
“The future is definitely bright. I thank the sponsors who are on board and also encourage more to follow suit so that we can grow together,” said Nyaberi.
He lauded the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports and the Government of Kenya for the solid administrative and financial prop-up sponsorship and guidance that has seen Kenyan Volleyball grow in leaps and bounds over the past 30 years.
He noted that through this facilitation and goodwill, Kenya’s household names Malkia Strikers and Wafalme Stars together with their junior versions and Kenyan Volleyball Clubs are now firmly positioned at the top of our zone and Africa and poised to penetrate the continental scene.
KVF Deputy President Bitok lauded the event for exposing promising players, among them Gregory Kiprono, who was the most valuable player and is currently attached to the Kenya Prisons men’s team.
He said Fridah Boke and Terry Tata, both at the KCB women’s volleyball team, were part of the national women’s team, Malkia Strikers, that recently participated in the FIVB World Championship in Thailand.
SportyBet. Ke Maina said “ It is a great honour for SportyBet.Ke to serve as the title sponsor of the 2025 Kipchumba Karori International Volleyball Tournament. As SportyBet.Ke we are devoted to supporting and nurturing athletes across all sporting disciplines in the country.”