For Nairobi Water, glass is half full
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Nairobi Water handball player Shantal Ateya shoots against team mates Tracy Ongiri (right) and Ann Mutua during their training session at Nyayo National Stadium on October 18, 2012. They were preparing for regional and continental championships.
What you need to know:
- After finishing third last year in Dar es Salaam, they have no excuse but to clinch the regional diadem during the 24th edition at Nyayo National Stadium from November 4 to 10, head coach Jack Harbert Ochieng said
- The team’s sponsor, Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company, has ensured their training goes on smoothly, said team manager Mary Musau
- The team has been training with minimal interruption since February
Nairobi Water have set their targets for the East and Central Africa and the Africa Clubs championships, both of which are due next month in Nairobi and Tangier, Morocco, respectively.
After finishing third last year in Dar es Salaam, they have no excuse but to clinch the regional diadem during the 24th edition at Nyayo National Stadium from November 4 to 10, head coach Jack Harbert Ochieng said.
And although they will be making their debut at the 34th event of the continental extravaganza from November 14 to 25, he said, they aim to reach the semi-finals.
Title chances high
Their skills level has improved since they finished third in the regional contest last year before becoming second in the national league this year, the coach added.
“Our chances for the regional title are high since the girls’ tactical approach and their speed have tremendously improved,” Ochieng said. “We have trained and blended for a longer period than before.”
Ochieng is lucky that all his 20 players are intact and without injury.
“My prayers is for that to hold so that we go into the two events 100 per cent fit since tough opponents await us,” he said. “As much as we are training hard, we are careful not to get injuries since it will be tricky.”
He said they would continue refining fitness, endurance, speed and strength while avoiding burnout.
The team’s sponsor, Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company, has ensured their training goes on smoothly, said team manager Mary Musau.
The team has been training with minimal interruption since February.
Sponsors supportive
“They have been supportive to the team and everything is in place as we are practising on standard courts,” Musau said.
Since its formation in 2010, she noted, the team’s performance has been inspiring:
“Our ascendance is unstoppable; we are going for nothing short of victory in Nairobi,” she said.
“My wish was to have another Kenyan side in Morocco for moral support, but we are not going there to add to the numbers.”
Cereals Board retained both the men’s and women’s regional and national titles last season.
