Bitok hopeful of volleyball team weathering pandemic

Speaking on Wednesday from Eldoret, Bitok said his plan to have the team camp in Europe and Japan has been approved by government and they hope when they resume training, they will be able to actualize it in 2021.

Kenya volleyball coach Paul Bitok said the COVID-19 pandemic might have slowed down their program but all is not lost as he relishes the prospects of returning to the court for group training when the health situation improves.

The coach was hopeful to make history by registering a win at the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games next year, reports Xinhua news agency.

Speaking on Wednesday from Eldoret, Bitok said his plan to have the team camp in Europe and Japan has been approved by government and they hope when they resume training, they will be able to actualize it in 2021.

"We had good sponsorship. The government had promised us to train here at home, one month in Europe and one month in Asia prior to the Olympics," said Bitok.

Turkey and Japan were the preferred destination for the Kenya national women's team and Bitok believed that experience will be critical as they seek to firm their grip on the top of continental volleyball while making inroads on the global stage.

"I hope the plan will not change even with the rescheduled Olympics so that we may go on and attain our dream to dominate at the Olympic stage in 2021," said Bitok.

( With inputs from IANS )