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My Christmas – Brackides: It will be a normal working day for me


By DAVID KWALIMWA

While most Kenyans will take time off during the festive season, for national women volleyball team captain Brackides Agala it will be work as usual in a far away country.

Though usual, it is a situation the 30 year old, who plies her  trade with French top division club Chameliares, has become accustomed to since joining the paid ranks in Europe two years ago.

“I miss my family a lot. Especially my kids,” the mother of three told Nairobi News in an online interview from her base in France.

“Those who have their family close by should cherish such moments. For me duty has called and we have to work harder and earn a living even as we fly the flag of our country,” the Kenya Prisons officer added.

GOOD YEAR

At the same time, the long serving attacker says she is satisfied with her performances on the pitch this season.

“We were successful all through and I am proud of that,” she said while reflecting on the Africa Nations Cup, FIVB group 3 Grand Prix and Africa Games titles won by the women’s team this year.

The team also managed to write a piece of history at the FIVB World Cup in Japan, winning two games against Algeria and Peru.

However, there were also some low points for Agala this year, notably her shock omission from the national team squad for the 2016 Olympics qualifiers. Also dropped from the team was another veteran player Janet Wanja.

“I don’t want to comment much about that, but I have not formally retired from international duty. That is all I can say for now. In the meantime, I wish all Kenyans a Merry Christmas and blessed 2016,” Agala said.