ST Joseph Girls Kitale handball team in practice at their grounds a head of the National Secondary School Games scheduled on Tuesday April 25, 2023 in Eldoret. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]
Two years ago, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale announced themselves as the queens of handball during the Brookside KSSSA national Term One games.
The Rift Valley heavyweights had previously won silver in 2022 before taking gold in 2023.
Their rise was however put to check last year when they lost the regional title to Murinduko and thus failed to earn a ticket to defend their title at the nationals held in Machakos.
The disappointment of failing to make it to the nationals is what has fueled the girls this year as they prepare to reclaim their title next week in Mombasa.
St Joseph’s averaged 43 goals per match at the regionals and head coach Edwin Adamba believes they have what it takes to reclaim the title from defending champions Moi Girls Kamusinga from Western Region.
“We have built a very strong team that is hungry for success. The girls are using the disappointment of losing last year as a motivation, and we are looking for another top podium finish,” said Adamba.
JOGA, as they are commonly referred hammered St Benedict 36-13 to reclaim the Rift Valley Regional title from Murinduko whom they thrashed 36-11 in the semi-finals.
In their group matches, St Joseph’s walked over Anin and Kipcherere 52-12 and 55-12 respectively, before humbling Nasokol 36-13.
St Joseph headline Group B alongside Thika Girls Karibaribi, Kadika Girls from Nyanza and Moi Forces Academy Mombasa.
Champions Kamusinga are in Group A alongside Hon DM Amin, Kyeni Girls and Dagoretti Mixed from Nairobi.
“The goal is to build from game to game. Our pool is fairly tough, but we are up to the task. We know two wins will guarantee us a semi-final slot, and that is the goal for us when the games kick off on Tuesday,” said Adamba.
Washington Onyango
| Apr 05, 2025