NAIROBI, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Lack of funds has forced the Kenyan women's volleyball team to push back by two days their travel arrangements to Japan for the World Championship.
The team, which was due to jet out on Tuesday, will now have to depart on Thursday for a week-long build up exercise in Tokyo as they polish up their skills ahead of the championship, which starts on Sept. 29 to Oct. 20 in six cities in Japan.
A total of 24 teams, grouped into four pools of four teams are up for the battle to dominate the women's volleyball with the top four teams securing automatic qualification to next year's World Cup.
Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) President Waithaka Kioni said it was not their mistake for the delay even as he rued missing chance for the team to train in Japan.
"The team was due to travel on Tuesday, but we had to wait for the government support and they have instructed us to leave on Thursday. We will travel via Ethiopia," said Kioni on Tuesday in Nairobi.
Kenya has been pooled in Group D and will face a baptism by fire as they face off against fellow minnows Kazakhstan in their first match on Sept. 29 before playing giants Serbia.
Other teams in the group are Puerto Rico, former champions Brazil and the Dominican Republic. Only the top two teams from the group will progress to the Main Cup quarterfinals while the rest will be polled in ranking matches.
The Kenya team is made up of 19 players and technical bench will be led by coach Japheth Munala assisted by Josp Barasa.
"We remain grateful to the government for the gesture. I would like to wish the team the best of luck in the three-week event. They are in good shape and raring to go," said Kioni.
The team will now have a reduced training camp facilitated by former Kenya team coach, Sadatoshi Sugawara in Japan where they will play a few selected clubs to gauge their preparedness.
Captain Mercy Moim has warned their rivals not to underrate the team's capability, even after they missed out to hold any international build up matches.
"We know our roles and we are down to earth," she said. "Nobody should rule us out. We are keen to make a surprise and carve a niche in the tourney. Expect some giant's scalp as we arrive in Japan," she added.
