The Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) has officially unveiled the first-ever Kenya Cup Volleyball Tournament, an initiative aimed at nurturing talent and elevating the game in Kenya.

The five-month-long competition expected to serve off in February, will feature 17 teams, both men and women, who will battle it out for the top prizes. The indoor games are set to take place at the Kasarani Indoor Arena and Nyayo National Stadium.

“The Kenya Cup Volleyball Tournament marks a new chapter for volleyball in our country. We are determined to create opportunities for players to showcase their skills and take Kenyan volleyball to new heights in regional as well as global stage,” KVF president Charles Nyaberi said during the launch of the tournament.

The highly competitive men’s action will see GSU lock horns with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Army, Equity Bank and APK in pool A while Prisons Kenya will face KDF, Trailblazers, CHEMA and KAPU in pool B action.

In the women’s category, defending champions KCB has been drawn in pool B alongside arch-rivals Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Army and Kenya Defence Forces. In pool A, former champions Prisons Kenya will battle it out with detectives DCI, and Postbank.

In an effort to enhance team performance and elevate the level of competition, each team will now be allowed to field two professional players in the upcoming volleyball showdown that will run alongside the KVF league.

“This competition serves as a critical launchpad for the upcoming African Club Championship in April. Over the course of this tournament, the 17 teams will showcase their tactical prowess, engage in thrilling encounters, and fine-tune their squads for Africa’s premier club showcase,” noted KCB Women’s Volleyball Team chairman Collins Odiwuor.