General Service Unit (GSU) centre attacker Wesley Rono is the surprise inclusion in the national volleyball men’s team named yesterday ahead of the World Championship Zonal ‘H’ second round qualifier slated for next week in Kigali, Rwanda.
Rono makes a comeback after having sitting out of national duties for the last couple of years. His last international assignment was during 2011 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers staged in Rwanda.
However, the centre attacker will have to fight out with Sila Makiso of Kenya Defence Force and Prisons’ Saul Wafula for a slot in the coach Gideon Chenje’s starting line-up. Commenting on the new development, Rono noted that hard work and discipline has put him where he is. He said every player’s dream is to make it to the national team hence he is glad to have been named. “ I am humbled by the confidence the volleyball fraternity have showed in me after missing national assignment for the last 3 years.’
He said, “It is a good feeling to make the cut after three years in the cold. I have worked hard at GSU to return at the top and I am happy that someone has noticed my effort,” said Rono. Team manager, Tobias Wafula said they has picked the 12 players on merit basing on experience, exposure and discipline. “Most of these players were part of the squad that played in the first round of qualifiers in Uganda and they managed to win all their matches. This is partly the reason why we settled on them to do the duties again,” he explained. He added, “Rono has shown a lot of growth in training and in the national volleyball league and I believe he will do well for the team.”
Those axed were—Solom Bitok, Peter Gachoki, Bonjentry Mukekhe, David Kirwa and Nicolas Langat.
Squad: Alex Kariuki, Daniel Kiptoo, Elisha Ragot, Wesley Rono, Saul Wafula, Phillip Maiyo, Ibrahim Oduori, Sila Makiso, Cornelius Lagat, Micheal Chemosp, James Ontere and Dennis Onsomu.
AGNES MAKHANDIA