Moim set to establish academy as Malkia depart

Malkia Strikers left spiker Mercy Moim is set to launch a volleyball academy at her former school, Kaboywo Primary School, in Mt. Elgon.

The Mercy Moim Foundation is the project the 27-year-old intends to utilize in nurturing young talent in order to improve the quality of the sport in the country.

“Of course it’s also about giving back to the society but most importantly is being able to match western countries’ approach of developing their talents way earlier than we do. For me, it’s the main reason we’re still a step or two behind them,” the towering outside hitter nicknamed Shikuku told Citizen Digital.

“The tradition here has been spotting talent at high school level and at that stage it’s very difficult to teach someone basic skills such as reception. Generally Africans are known for their attacking strength but that’s not all that matters over a match,” Moim noted.

Also a dedicated mother of one, Moim says she will launch the foundation after the Kenyan Volleyball team’s Grand Prix tournament and projects that the results could be witnessed in a minimum five years’ time.

Born in Trans Nzoia and standing at an impressive 183cm stature, Moim’s laid back personality and likeable-ness is easily noticeable. Having made her national debut aged only 15, she says she fully supports the policy to always reward and trust younger players.

“The club championships did not go too well for Kenyan teams and it’s mainly because the trend has been integrating younger players into the teams. The oldest Prisons player who featured in Tunisia is only 21 years old and some are as young as 18. They are building a team for the future,” she explained.

“It’s not going to be an easy transition; phasing out an old successful team and enjoying positive results is hardly ever an instant task. It takes patience.”

The Oriveden Ponnistus player recalls how together with some of her current teammates they struggled to fit in the shoes of Dorcas Ndasaba and company.

“It’s a wise move and I know we will even be stronger than before. Most of us play abroad; I’m based in Finland while Eveline Makuto, Blackcides Agala and Jane Wacu all play in France so it’s important to have local based players in the squad too.”

She says she is proud of her own performances since joining the national team and even back in Finnish club attributing her court success to hard work and discipline.

“We have undoubtedly been a force to reckon with continentally. Our achievements cannot be underestimated and although we’ve had our struggles playing outside Africa we are improving,” she said.

She adds that she has benefited from a more equipped training facility abroad as compared to those in the country but hints at a notable improvement by the Kenyan Volleyball Federation.

The veteran was recalled in the Malkia Strikers team that departs Tuesday night for San Juan, Puerto Rico for the World Olympics Qualifiers.

The will have their last training session on Tuesday morning and thereafter the players will have time off to report back at 3pm local time (+3GMT)

The team is set to depart their Hotel at 7pm for JKIA and departure time is 23.55pm to Amsterdam, then New York and finally San  Juan where they will play for a last chance to make the Rio 2016 Olympics/