Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) Vice President Paul Bitok has expressed confidence that Kenya will be ready to host the 2026 Women's African Nations Championship, a 16-team continental tournament scheduled for August 23 to September 5 in Nairobi.
The championship will also serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship.
Speaking to Radio Generation at Nyayo National Stadium during a Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) women's volleyball club training session, where he also serves as Technical Director, Bitok said he was not concerned about the ongoing renovations at the competition venues, insisting they would be completed on time.
"Works are underway at both Ulinzi and Kasarani, and the renovations will be completed in time," he said.
"My concern now is the national team because we all want to see Malkia Strikers defend the title. The government will take care of the facilities," Bitok added.
The tournament will be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata and the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani. The winners will secure Africa's direct qualification slot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The top three teams at the tournament will also qualify for the 2027 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship, which will be co-hosted by the United States and Canada from August 20 to September 6, 2027.
Kenya, who won the continental title in 2023 after defeating Egypt 3-0 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, will be aiming to successfully defend their crown on home soil.
They will face strong competition from Egypt, Cameroon, Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo, Burundi and Zambia, all of whom have qualified for the tournament.