The FIVB has agreed to partially fund Kenya's women’s volleyball team ©Getty Images

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has agreed to partially fund the Kenyan women’s volleyball team’s trip to Puerto Rico for a Rio 2016 qualifier in May.

Kenya had withdrawn from the international qualification event, which is scheduled to take place in San Juan from May 20 to 22, due to a lack of money.

But in response to a letter from the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) notifying them of their inability to finance the outing, the FIVB has said it will cater for accommodation plus part of the air ticket costs.

The 18-member team is expected in Puerto Rico’s capital on May 17 before travelling to Argentina for the FIVB Grand Prix Group 2 tournament, due to be held from June 3 to 5.

The East African nation is competing in the qualifier after failing to clinch a direct ticket to the Olympic Games at last month’s Women’s African Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament.

They finished third behind Egypt, who were also due to contest the international qualification event having lost against hosts Cameroon in the final but pulled out. 

It means just Colombia and Puerto Rico, the South American and North, Central America and Caribbean qualifiers respectively, stand between Kenya and the sole Olympic ticket on offer.

"We understand your point and the issue of the financial situation, which causes you to withdraw," said Gabrielle van Zwieten, FIVB's director of volleyball events, in an e-mail to the KVF.

"We discussed with our travel agency and we can prepare a combined air ticket.

"Your team would first travel to Puerto Rico, then they will continue afterwards to Argentina for the World Grand Prix preliminary round."

Kenya beat Algeria to finish third at the Women’s African Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament last month
Kenya beat Algeria to finish third at the Women’s African Olympic Volleyball Qualification tournament last month ©CAVB/Guy Suffo

Zwieten added that the FIVB were compelled to help out the Malkia Strikers given the team's impressive recent performances, most notably an historic win at the FIVB Grand Prix Group 3 in Australia last year.

"This is exciting news," said KVF chairman Waithaka Kioni.

"Most definitely, we are making all necessary arrangements to make sure this happens.

"We are happy for the good gesture from the FIVB."

A total of seven countries have already qualified for the women’s volleyball tournament at Rio 2016 with Cameroon joining host nation Brazil, China, Serbia, Russia, Argentina and the United States.