Fast rising outside hitter Mariam Musa has earned a maiden call-up to the Malkia Strikers provisional squad for the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup and Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old KCB player received the nod after starring in the league's end-of-season play-offs by helping the bankers defend their title while bagging the best outside hitter award.

Despite battling a knee injury, African Games most valuable player (MVP) and hard hitting opposite attacker Sharon Chepchumba have also been included in the 19-member squad that has started residential training at Kasarani Stadium Indoor Arena, Nairobi, on Tuesday evening.

Trizah Atuka will captain the team in the absence of veteran captain Mercy Moim, who remains out with Edith Wisa deputizing her for the upcoming assignments.

The squad will be trimmed down to 16 for the Challenger Cup slated for July 1–7 in Philippines and further down to 13 who will pitch camp in Miramas, France for high-performance training in preparation for the Paris Olympic Games slated in August this year. 

Provisional Squad

Middle Blokers:

Trizah Atuka

Edith Wisa

Belinda Barasa

Lorine Chebet

Outside Hitters

Veronicah Adhiambo

Juliana Namutira

Meldina Sande

Leonida Kasaya

Jemimah Siangu

Mariam Musa

Setters

Esther Mutinda

Emmaculate Nekesa

Opposite Players:

Sharon Chepchumba

Loice Simiyu

Mercy Iminza

Pamela Adhiambo

Libero Players

Agripina Kundu

Lincy Jeruto

Delphine Misoki

Technical Bench

Japheth Munala – Head Coach

Josp Barasa – Assistant Coach

Janet Wanja – Trainer

Paul Bitok – Technical Director

Ismail Chege – Team Manager