Left attacker Meldina Sande is eyeing a return to the national women’s volleyball team, Malkia Strikers, ahead of the 2025 FIVB World Championship set to take place in Thailand from August 22 to September 7.
Kenya has been drawn in Pool ‘G’ alongside Poland, Vietnam, and Germany.
Sande was recently named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Rwanda National Volleyball League after guiding Rwanda Police to a commanding win over Patriotic Army of Rwanda in the final over the weekend.
Locally, Sande is attached to former Kenya Volleyball Federation National League champions Kenya Prisons, but she moved to Rwanda last year on a one-year contract with the Rwandan side.
Speaking on phone from Rwanda, the 27-year-old expressed her strong desire to rejoin the national team after missing out on selection for the Paris Olympics last year.
“I’m at a good place now and if I get the call to join the national team, I will take it with both hands. I have worked hard to get where I’m today and winning the MVP award in my first season in the league in Rwanda is something.
I’m extremely happy and humbled at the same time. This just goes to show that hard work and sacrifice pay off. I have been in and off the Malkia Strikers team and I believe and hope that I will be a regular player going forward.
Sande will be vying for one of the four available slots in the provisional squad, competing against Juliana Namutira, Veronica Adhiambo, Leonida Kasaya, Sarah Namisi, Pauline Ito, and Miriam Musa.
“Rwanda has indoor facilities. Their matches are played indoors, compared to Kenya where some matches are played outdoors, and that’s the difference.
Also, the investment in foreign players has played a major role in improving and making the Rwanda League competitive. The coaches also keep an eye on the players to ensure their talents are groomed,” said Sande, who also sings with the Kenya Prisons band.
“Currently, we are preparing for the annual Genocide Memorial tournament set for June 5–8, and after that, I’ll fly back to Kenya to play for Kenya Prisons during the Kenya Cup tournament later in the month.
The standards of sports in Rwanda are rising, and I want to take advantage of the opportunity to grow myself.
Sande also featured for Rwanda Police during the African Clubs Championship in Nigeria, where they pushed Kenya Prisons to a five-set thriller in the quarter-finals.
Kenya Prisons prevailed 3-2 and finished sixth, while Rwanda Police ended up ninth in the tournament that featured 16 teams. Zamalek of Egypt retained the title.
Meanwhile, Kenya Prisons players Elphas Makuto and Dennis Esokon were also recognised for their performances.
Makuto, who also plays for Rwanda Police, was named Best Attacker, while Esokon, who features for Rwanda Energy Group (REG), was awarded the MVP.
