Malkia Strikers' Sharon Chepchumba lands deal in Greece

The reigning Africa’s best player linked up with her new club straight from the Netherlands and was not part of the national women's volleyball team that jetted in the country last night after they exited the ongoing FIVB World Championship.

The KCB star, who has previously turned out for the Kenya Volleyball Federation defending champions Kenya Prisons and former winners Kenya Pipeline, signed a six-month deal with the Greek A2 League club.

Malkia Strikers head coach Paul Bitok encouraged more players to turn professional abroad in order to help close the ever growing gap between Kenya and volleyball world beaters.

“For Chumba to turn pro it was a matter of when but not if. It is encouraging and inspiring the other young players in the squad like (Belinda) Barasa, (Veronica) Adhiambo and (Emmaculate) Nekesa who have shown great potential of joining Chumba in the top-player category.

“For us to match the might of top teams in Europe or Asia we must encourage and allow our players to turn pro. This is the only way we can put an end to a poor performance at the world stage,” Bitok, who also acts as Chepchumba’s manager, told Citizen Digital.

Despite Malkia Strikers’ failed attempt for the second round at the global event, Chepchumba had some flashes of brilliance emerging top scorer for the Kenyans with 66 points.

Malkia Strikers’ second round dreams were extinguished by Puerto Rico on Saturday after falling 3-1 sets in the last preliminary match to miss the final Pool ‘A’ slot for the next round.

The squad returned to the country for the first time in three months.