Western’s Moi Girls Kamsinga student Esther Butali (in yellow), beats Dagoreti Hight School of Nairobi during Kenya Secondary Schools Association handball games at Hill School in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County yesterday. April 25, 2023. [Peter Ochieng/Standard]
Former East Africa handball champions Moi Girls Kamusinga believe that this is the year they will reclaim their lost glory.
Kamusinga are looking to recapture the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games that begin on Thursday in Kakamega.
The Kenyan girls will be battling 10 other teams for the regional trophy that has eluded them for the past three years. Kamusinga coach Godfrey Simiyu said that his charges are ready for the challenge.
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“We have been preparing for this moment, and the girls are ready to ensure that the trophy remains home,” Simiyu said.
Kamusinga had a good year, successfully defending their title and doing it for the first time in Mombasa. Despite dominating the nationals for years, Kamusinga had always lost whenever the games were held in Mombasa.
“The girls are in high spirits and motivated by our Term One games success. Winning for the first time in Mombasa has inspired the girls to work harder and yearn for more success. More than ever before, they are determined to excel at the East Africa games,” Simiyu added.
The Kenyan girls who finished fourth during last year’s games held in Mbale, Uganda, will launch their campaign in Group B alongside fellow Kenyans Kadika Girls, who will be making their East Africa debut.
They will face off with Uganda’s Mbogo High School who beat them 24-16 in last year’s third-place play-offs denying them a podium finish.
The pool also has Tanzania’s Maweni Secondary School, Gombe Secondary School from Uganda and Rwanda’s ES Nyamgabe.
On the pooling, the experienced tactician said the strategy is to start well and ensure that they secure a place in the knock-outs.
“We must start well because we played the two Ugandan teams last year, they know what to expect from us, and so we just have to be at our best,” said Simiyu.
Simiyu, who led the Kenya Under-19 girls’ national team to winning the International Handball Federation (IHF) Zone Five trophy, exuded confidence, saying his charges, who were among the triumphant teams, gained experience that will come in handy at the games.
“Some of my players made it to the national teams and gained exposure during the championship. Both teams won gold, which is a plus and a morale booster, not just for them but for the entire team,” he added.
Kamusinga’s Bridgid Barasa and Brenda Amoit were in the Under-19 team, while Lavendah Babra, Sheila Amoding, Millicent Wanjala and Mariam Yego excelled with the Under-17 team.
Kenya’s national finalists St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale and bronze medallists Dagoretti Mixed are in Group A together with Kibuli Secondary School and Kawanda Secondary School from Uganda. The pool also has Tanzania’s Doingoya Secondary School