Argemtina-born volleyball coach Raul Lozano conducted his first training session with national women’s volleyball team at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday ahead of the final round of World Championship slated for next year.
Lozano, was seconded to Kenya by Federation of International Volleyball Board (FIVB) to impart his expertise to the national women’s team ahead of the next year’s championship.
The Argentine boasts good record, having propelled Poland to a podium finish in the 2009 European Championship and guiding Germany to eighth position during the World Championship. The 57-year-old comes at time when the home side is enjoying top form—having successful won the second round qualifiers ahead regional rivals Egypt, Uganda and Tanzania. Speaking after the afternoon training, Lozano said the Kenya team has what it takes to qualify for the World Championship. He said: “The girls are physically fit and they have shown the urge to learn. Basically, what they need is to improve on the technical aspect of the game.”
“I saw some of the players play during the World Club Championship in Zurich and others during the U-23 championship in Mexico. I have also seen the video footage and I can say they have power and fighting spirit,” he noted.
Lozano acknowledged Kenya’s coach David Lunga’ho as a good coach and hinted that they intend to share ideas and learning from one another in a bid to propel the team to the World Championship. “My aim is to see Kenya qualify for the World tourney and it will be befitting to see them pull surprises against some of the volleyball powerhouses.”
By AGNES MAKHANDIA, The Star