Kenya volleyball men’s team, General Service was crowned the Arthur Odera Open tournament champions after beating defending league champions Kenya Prisons 3-0 in a thrilling encounter at Malaba Stadium in Busia County on Sunday.
The final match was watched by hundreds of ecstatic fans led by Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma flanked by his Deputy Governor Arthur Odera who was the event sponsor, County Executive Committee Members, and Chief Officers from the County Government.
GSU, the 15-time champions, put aside the humiliating 3-0 defeat they were subjected to in the playoffs last October in Kasarani that saw them fail to defend their league title after six years of dominance.
GSU coach Gideon Tarus looks unstoppable to wrestle the league title, and nothing seems to stop that burning ambition going by their thrilling ball display that has won the hearts of volleyball fans from Malaba and its environs.
GSU, under the tutelage of Gideon Tarus, lined up five of their squad that turn up for Wafalme, the men’s national team, including Simon Kipkorir, Cornelius Kiplagat, Natalie, Brian Melly, and Noah Bett.
Their combination tore their opponents asunder. Enroute to the finals, GSU defeated KPA 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-23) in the first semi-final while defending KVF national league champions Kenya Prisons beat Administration Police 3-1(25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22).
GSU coach Gideon Tarus lauded his players for keenly applying his tactics to retain the competition’s trophy.
“My boys played well, but it’s still work. I have identified some of a few mistakes that we will work on to improve our performance,” he said.
His counterpart for Prisons Denis Mokua said the match was good only that a few mistakes cost them crucial sets.
“We accept the results, and our focus now shifts to the fourth leg of the league. The tournament offered us valuable lessons that we will apply in our next matches, “he said.
In the men’s playoffs for third place, APK beat KPA 3-0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-14).
In the senior women’s finals, Kenya Pipeline dispatched Kenya Prisons 3-1 (25-22, 25-20 21-25, and 25-18) to lift the title.
In the semis, Kenya Prisons had defeated KDF 3-0 (25-7, 25-6, 25-15) to set up a titanic final against Pipeline who overpowered Nairobi Prisons with a similar score of 3-0 (25-12, 25-6, 25-15).
The Runners-up received a trophy and Sh60,000 with third-place finishers getting Sh. 40,000.
In the schools’ category, Sikri College beat Andersen 3-1 in the schools’ finals for boys while Kesogon won the girls’ category, posting a 3-0 win against Bishop Sulumeti.
By Absalom Namwalo
