The curtain has officially risen on the 2025 Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament, with SportyBet Kenya unveiled as the main sponsor in a partnership that signals a new era for volleyball in the region.
Injecting KSh4 million into the event, SportyBet as the main sponsor will work closely with the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to deliver a three-day showcase of talent from December 19 to 21, 2025, in Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The tournament brings together players from Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, drawing teams across Senior Elite, self-supporting, university/college, high school, and primary school categories—highlighting the championship’s rapid growth and inclusive design.
The 2025 edition has attracted a record 64 teams drawn from both self-supporting and Mashinani categories — a milestone that organizers describe as clear evidence of the growing community pipeline feeding the national volleyball scene.
According to Coordinator Paul Bitok, past tournaments have nurtured many players who have gone on to join the professional ranks. He added that the current edition is expected to attract increased scouting attention from grassroots, university, and school circuits alike.
The self-supporting category continues to enhance the tournament’s diversity, featuring 36 men’s teams from counties such as Kericho, Kakamega, Nandi, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu — all competing for recognition and county pride. On the women’s side, five community teams — Kipkenyo, Starlet Nandi, Kipkaren Queens, Busia Divas, and Sinyereri — will challenge themselves against more experienced opponents.
Bitok emphasized his team’s commitment to providing optimal facilities, smooth scheduling, and stringent safety measures as early pool-stage encounters begin shaping the road to the quarterfinals and beyond.