By Sosten Kiprono
Kenya has been stripped of its hosting rights for the prestigious 2026 Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone V Club Championship.
This will come as a major setback for the nation’s sports calendar and regional sporting reputation.
The championship, which was scheduled to take place in Kenya from February 8 to 16, 2026 will now be held elsewhere after the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) informed the CAVB Zone V leadership that it could no longer host the event as planned.
The decision was communicated in an official circular from Sadik Z. Nasiwu, President of CAVB Zone V.
In the correspondence to Zone V member federation presidents, Nasiwu assured members that a new host country and venue will be announced in due course, and added apologies for the disruption caused to participating teams and stakeholders.
The annual Zone V club tournament draws top men’s and women’s volleyball clubs from across East and North Africa including teams from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Egypt. It serves as a key qualifying and ranking competition ahead of continental fixtures.
Kenyan sides were widely expected to leverage home advantage for strong performances and to galvanise fan support.
Losing the hosting rights deals a blow not only to local supporters but also to the federation’s plans to showcase the sport on home soil.
The move comes at a time when Kenya has been seeking to elevate its profile in African volleyball after hosting and participating in several regional tournaments in recent years.
The decision also arrives shortly after remarks by CAVB President Bouchra Hajij, who during a visit to Kenya in late 2025 encouraged greater collaboration between the national federation, government agencies and private sector partners to strengthen the country’s capacity to host major continental events.
Hajij had previously indicated a willingness to grant Kenya even higher-profile tournaments if organisational support and infrastructure were consolidated effectively.
Volleyball stakeholders now await confirmation of the new venue and scheduling for the Zone V Club Championship, while local teams and fans adjust training and competition plans in response to the unexpected change.
