Malkia Strikers Voice Frustrations Over Unsettled Allowances Ahead of World Stage
- Malkia Strikers, the Kenya national women's volleyball team, have pleaded with President William Ruto to help motivate them ahead of the World Championship
- They released a video detailing their plight, emphasising that their allowances have yet to be paid
- They name-dropped Harambee Stars, the Kenyan men's football team, who have received millions in bonuses for their impressive performances at CHAN 2024
The Kenya national volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, has raised concerns over unpaid allowances ahead of the World Championships in Thailand.
Source: Getty Images
The Malkia Strikers are set to kick off their World Championship campaign on Saturday, August 23, against Germany, but their preparations have been disrupted.
The 10-time African champions' concerns come amid the Harambee Stars' bonus issues following their impressive performances at CHAN 2024.
Who are Malkia Strikers facing in World Championships?
The Women's Volleyball World Championship kicks off on Friday, August 22, as 32 teams vie for the prestigious crown, which will be awarded on September 22.
Kenya has been placed in Pool G alongside Germany, Poland, and Vietnam. They will kick off their tournament against Germany, face Poland next, and conclude the group stage with a match against Vietnam.
Poland is ranked third in the world, while Germany sits at 11th. Vietnam ranks 22nd, and Kenya is just behind at 23rd. The Malkia Strikers are the highest-ranked African team.
Source: Getty Images
Kenya won their first-ever match at the World Championship in 2022.
What is happening with Malkia Strikers?
In a 12-minute video circulating online, Malkia Strikers said they have yet to receive the money they were promised.
Speaking on behalf of the players, captain Meldina Sande and Pamela Adhiambo pleaded with the government to support them and motivate them ahead of their campaign.
"We were told that the allowances for the time we trained at Nyayo would be credited to our accounts. However, what we have heard since then is promises that the money would be paid ‘tomorrow’. Any time we ask for allowances, the answer is ‘tomorrow’. It has always been ‘tomorrow',” Adhiambo said in the video.
She also mentioned that the funds from their sponsor, Mozzart Bet, have not reached them, blaming the Kenya Volleyball Federation for the delay.
Sande appealed to President William Ruto to support them ahead of the tournament.
"Bwana President, we are also your children…motivate us. Bwana CS you promised us that our money would come…help us. We need something so we can achieve what we came here to do,” the skipper said.
“We are suffering…that’s why we are making this kind of a video. Everyone here is suffering…the players and the coaches but since we came here with one target, we don’t want anything to distract us,” she added.
Malkia Strikers' message comes after Harambee Stars were promised and given millions for their CHAN 2024 performances.
How much are Harambee Stars getting?
President William Ruto promised Harambee Stars players and staff KSh 1 million for every win and KSh 500,000 for a draw. He also pledged KSh 2.5 million to each player for defeating Zambia.
Ruto also promised the team KSh 1 million and a two-bedroom house for winning the quarter-final, and KSh 1 million along with a three-bedroom house for securing a spot in the semifinals.
Teammates mourn volleyball great Janet Wanja
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Janet Wanja's teammates mourned her following her painful death in December.
Wanja succumbed to gallbladder cancer, and her ex-teammates celebrated her with beautiful tributes.
Triza Atiku and Mercey Moin recalled Wanja's best moments, including her infectious character, saying she left a hole in Kenyan sports.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
