FIVB President Fabio Azevedo/HANDOUT The President of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), Fabio Azevedo, has challenged Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club to go beyond building courts and create a world-class beach volleyball destination to attract Olympic and world champions to Kenya.
Azevedo made the remarks during the official launch of Windsor’s new beach volleyball court in Nairobi, marking a significant step towards strengthening the sport’s infrastructure and profile in Kenya.
The FIVB president was accompanied by CAVB president Bouchra Hajij and senior Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) officials led by president Charles Nyaberi. Also present were KVF deputy president Paul Bitok and deputy treasurer Moses Mbuthia, who chairs the federation’s Beach Volleyball Commission.
During the visit, Windsor management unveiled plans to build two additional international-standard courts, complete with spectator terraces to improve the experience for fans.
The proposed development will create a three-court complex that could position Windsor to host competitions ranging from domestic tournaments to continental and international championships.
Azevedo urged KVF management to ensure the project meets the standards required for major global events, challenging them to think beyond playing surfaces.
He said Windsor should develop facilities to attract the biggest names in beach volleyball, including Olympic and world champions. Among the possibilities he suggested were exhibition matches featuring leading international players, allowing Kenyan fans to watch some of the sport’s global stars on home soil.
Azevedo also highlighted the potential for Windsor to host African Beach Volleyball Tour events, with the long-term ambition of bringing competitions onto the prestigious FIVB Pro Tour.
The development is expected to boost beach volleyball growth in Kenya by providing improved facilities for athletes, coaches, competitions and spectators.
For KVF, the project is part of wider efforts to strengthen beach volleyball infrastructure and enhance Kenya’s capacity to stage high-level international tournaments.
Once completed, the three-court facility could establish Windsor as a regular stop on the African beach volleyball calendar, attracting players from Kenya and across the continent before potentially becoming a venue for global events.
