Malkia Strikers’ Omondi responds to allegations of sidelining senior players

Malkia Strikers head coach Geoffrey Omondi has broken his silence over allegations of overlooking senior players and preferring to use younger players.Omondi selected an averagely young squad for the recently concluded 2026 CAVB women's African Nations Volleyball Championship, a move that attracted praise and criticism in equal measure.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsIn the end, Omondi’s team managed to finish as runners up in the continental championship, securing a place in the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Cup but unfortunately failed to book a direct ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Games.Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the experienced tactician weighed in on his squad selection, opening up on the selection criteria.Meet former Leicester City forward called up to Kenya U-23 squad“The team selection was on merit and so the age category balanced itself automatically. We did not say that we do not want older players and are now bringing younger players, No.We did put all of them to scale and those who made it to the final squad did so on merit without any bias to age,” said Omondi.One of the young faces in Omomdi’s squad was Milka Akinyi, a form four student at St. Cecilia, Aluor Girls in Siaya County who made her national team debut in the tournament after impressing in the school games and for Kenya Pipeline Volleyball team##NAJAVA_MECA_9968560##“We looked at the set skills that we wanted for that left position. She (Akinyi) was able to receive, attack, block and do good coverage and so when we put her on the weighing scale, she merited,” said Omondi.Other young players in the team included the sensational 19-year-old Malyne Terry Tata, who went ahead to grab the championship's best Opposite Hitter and made it to the dream team, Sharon Jepkosgei, Josephine Kataa as well as Marian Sokoiyo whose heroics earned her the best middle blocker accolade.Junior Starlets sweat over four key absentees as World Cup preps intensifyNonetheless, Omondi announced that the national team doors are wide open for every player even as the team prepares for World Cup.