Chema Volleyball Club have set ambitious targets ahead of the second edition of the Kenya Cup and have intensified preparations with a disciplined and structured training programme.
The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league newcomers are determined to challenge established powerhouses, according to head coach Jeremiah Mukopi, who says the club is focused on breaking into the elite tier of Kenyan men’s volleyball.
Mukopi said the immediate goal is to reach the advanced stages of the Kenya Cup and earn respect among the country’s top sides.
This follows a successful promotion from the National League and an impressive regional campaign that included reaching the final of the Rwanda Genocide Memorial tournament.
The coach noted that the emphasis has now shifted to consolidating competitiveness at the national level.
“Our focus is on continuous improvement. Training is intense and specific because we want our systems sharp and our players ready for every style of play,” Mukopi quipped.
He highlighted conditioning, tactical consistency and mental resilience as the pillars of Chema’s training regime this season, adding that the club is deliberately working to close the gap between newcomers and perennial contenders.
To bolster their ambitions, Chema have strengthened their squad with targeted signings, including experienced players Hudson Kipchumba and Mathias Kemboi from reigning National League champions General Service Unit (GSU), moves aimed at adding depth and on-court leadership.
Chema will face stiff competition in the expanded 2026 Kenya Cup, which features a strong field of established men’s teams with proven league and cup pedigree.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), one of the country’s leading volleyball institutions, claimed bronze in the inaugural Kenya Cup and remain strong title contender.
Defending champions GSU, who are also the current league holders, are renowned for their consistency and championship experience.
Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), runners-up in the first edition, are a disciplined and tactically astute side that regularly pushes deep into national competitions.
Trailblazers, Equity Bank, Kenya Prisons and Kenya Army also bring significant league experience and competitive depth.
Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) and Administration Police (APK) further add to the unpredictability of the tournament as competitive institutional teams.
In the 2025 Kenya Cup, sides including GSU, KDF, KPA and Kenya Prisons reached the semifinals, underlining the quality Chema will be up against as they seek to rise through the standings.
The Kenya Cup, launched in 2025 by KVF, marked a major evolution in the domestic volleyball calendar.
Designed to complement the National League, the open cup format provides a platform for both men’s and women’s teams to compete for national honours.
The inaugural edition featured ten men’s teams competing through group stages before advancing to the knockout rounds, offering clubs like Chema valuable exposure against established programmes.
Mukopi acknowledged that sustained improvement and disciplined execution will be key if Chema are to achieve their season objectives.
by CHARLENE MALWA
