Kenyan players locked in hotel over ‘mystery’ bills in Egypt capital

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As long as there is five-star luxury, sunshine and the chance of being papped looking fabulous on the field, the conditions are perfect for a post-split trip.

However, this is only a dream for the Kenyan volley ball team currently performing in Egypt.

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The team is said to be in deep trouble Egyptian capital over non-payment of bills at Al-Albilla Hotel and as a result, the facility’s management has resulted to confiscate the passports of the entire contingent comprising 12-players, two technical bench members and an administrator, rendering them virtually prisoners.

To make the matter muddy, the players are yet to receive allowances for competing in this tournament.

Image result for Kenya Prisons Service’ women's volleyball team

The five-time African champions, who are bankrolled by the Ministry of Interior under the Kenya Prisons Service docket, are struggling to pay bills for meals and accommodation at the hotel with an initial Sh300,000 deposit against the expected Sh1.1 million deemed deemed insufficient.

Meanwhile, the relevant ministry officials are said to either be unwilling or unable to make these payments, further lowering the morale in the team’s camp.

A decision to withdraw the five-time champions the tournament has been mooted, but it’s believed the repercussions are too grave to contemplate.

These include hefty fines by the tournament organizers and other sanctions including a five-year ban.

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Efforts to get a comment from both Kenya Prisons Service’s Sports Department head Rose Moturi and Department for Correctional Services Principal Secretary Zainabu Hussein did not beat fruit.

Captained by Kenya international Brackides Agala, Prisons – who last triumphed in this tournament in Madagascar give years ago – failed to make it to the quarter-finals after falling 3-1 to hosts El Shams in their third match on Wednesday in Cairo.

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