GSU VC, Kenya Pipeline Lift Arthur Odera Open Tournament
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 ecastic fans led by Busia Governor Dr Paul Otuoma flanked by Deputy Governor and the event sponsor Arthur Odera and 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.
The paramilitary side has shown their intention clear by striving to qualify for playoffs and recapture their lost glory that they surrendered to Prisons, which they last won in 2008. KPA had also beaten GSU in playoffs, but the 3rd KVF league has confirmed their desire to concur the local scene, winning all their four league matches in Malaba to maintain their unbeaten record, after nine matches.
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 Somon Kipkorir, Cornelius Kiplagat, Natalie, Brian Melly, and Noah Bett. Their combination tore their opponents asunder.
Enroute to the finals, GSU defeated KPA in 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 in progress. I have identified some of a few mistakes that we are going to work on to improve on 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 finals, Kenya Pipeline dispatched Kenya Prisons 3-1 (25-22, 25-20 21-25,25-18) 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).
Runners-up received a trophy and Ksh60,000 with third place finishers getting Kshs. 40,000.
In the schools’ category, Sikri College beat national schools runbers-up Andersen 3-1 in the schools finals for boys while Kesogon won the girls category, posting a 3-0 win against Bishop Sulumeti.
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