Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) seems to have had a change of heart on the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Volleyball Empowerment Program and is reportedly close to a readmission.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe Empowerment Program is a global development initiative that provides financial, technical and human resources to national federations to improve their national teams' performances while also looking to make volleyball self-sustainable worldwide.The national women’s senior volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, had been part of the Program since 2021 before Kenya pulled out of the Ksh88 million partnership in 2024, following a heavily criticised standoff over the technical bench composition of the team ahead of the Paris Olympics.Thunder sweep KPA to lift third consecutive unbeaten KBF titleIn May 2024, the FIVB officially announced the cancellation of the targeted support investment for a six-member coaching team, which was led by Brazilian head coach Luizomar de Moura, respecting KVF's choice to opt out.Critics and stakeholders argued that losing the high-level technical reinforcement hurt Malkia's preparation for Paris and subsequently the African Championships hosted in Kenya last month, where the team failed to clinch a direct ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics 2028, relinquishing the continental title to Egypt.Federation president, Charles Nyaberi, however, now hints at a return, with an expanded reach, covering both senior national teams and beach sides, revealing that talks were held with the president of the FIVB Development Commission in Tunisia during the men’s African Nations Championship.##NAJAVA_MECA_9999929##"He hinted to me that the re-admission was as good as done. We now await to see which products they will offer us or support us with because we need to hit the road running. The sport is moving pretty fast, and we don’t want to lag behind. It’s unfortunate that we pulled out of the program when Malkia Strikers were in top shape. This is not an individual entity, but it’s all for the betterment of sport,” said Nyaberi.Asked if the new development will sit well with some of the Kenyan coaches who have been against the previous arrangement, Nyaberi said that the initiative is centred around players.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Guinea outfoxed Harambee Stars to leave them winless in 2027 AFCON Qualifiers"It’s about the prosperity of the players, and therefore if we have to move forward and compete against the top teams in the world, we have no choice but to welcome back the Empowerment program. This does not, however, mean that our coaches don’t have the capability; we just want reinforcement at the highest level, with our coaches being their understudies.”Should the partnership empowerment get the green light, then Malkia Strikers are likely to have a technical bench from FIVB ahead of the World Cup set for next year to be co-hosted in the USA and Canada.Karan Patel secures historic third title without turning wheel in Tanzania
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