National netball champions Oyugi Ogango Girls Secondary School are seeking an improved performance at this year’s East Africa games.
The three-time national winners, who retained their title without losing a match, have shifted their focus to the regional contest which Ugandan sides have dominated for over two decades.
With netball being a top sport in Uganda, no Kenyan side has ever won the netball trophy since the inception of the games in 2002.
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Oyugi Ogango, who won their maiden national trophy in 2023 and have firmed grip on it, were last year Kenya’s best performing side after finishing fifth.
Uganda snatched the top four positions with sports powerhouse St Mary’s Kitende bagging a record 20th title. Kawanda Secondary School, St Noa and Buddo Secondary School ranked second, third and fourth respectively.
Even so, Oyugi Ogango goal attacker Faith Ketra believes that with a change of mindset, Kenyans’ performance can improve.
“We go into the competition with a defeated mindset and it makes it easy for the Ugandans to get the better of us. I understand that netball is a big sport in Uganda and in terms of development they are way ahead of us, but we need to remain positive and fight on,” Ketra said.
She added that their main objective this year is to break into the last four and play in the semi-finals.
“We had the same goal last year but we fell short, we haven’t given up and our aim is to make it happen now that we are at home. We have been working very hard over the last two years which has seen us defend our national title,” she said.
“I believe that if we remain focused then we can also improve and qualify for the semis this year,” Ketra added.
Oyugi Ogango will lead national finalists St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale, former national champions Kaya Tiwi and St Monica Bukokholo.
St Joseph’s will be making their East Africa debut while Kaya Tiwi and Bukokholo who have been there before will be looking to improve on their past performances.