18 teams eye title as KDF tourney throws off

What you need to know:

  • Eighteen teams will compete in the Kenya Defence Forces handball inter-formations tournament which starts on Tuesday at Embakasi Garrison.
  • The competition, which was last held in 2014, is only open to defence forces men and women’s teams.
  • Among the teams that will do battle in the three-day tourney are men's defending champions Engineers, Fourth Brigade, Sixth Brigade, Second Brigade, Kenya Navy, Arty Gunners, DOD, Moi Airforce Base (MAB), Laikipia Airforce Base (LAB) and Armoured.

Eighteen teams will compete in the Kenya Defence Forces handball inter-formations tournament which starts on Tuesday at Embakasi Garrison.

The competition, which was last held in 2014, is only open to defence forces men and women’s teams.

Among the teams that will do battle in the three-day tourney are men's defending champions Engineers, Fourth Brigade, Sixth Brigade, Second Brigade, Kenya Navy, Arty Gunners, DOD, Moi Airforce Base (MAB), Laikipia Airforce Base (LAB) and Armoured.

The women's category has attracted champions Arty Gunners, Engineers, Second Brigade, Kenya Navy, Sixth Brigade, MAB, LAB and Armoured.

Embakasi Garrison will host the event on Tuesday and Wednesday before the Nyayo National Stadium handball court host the finals on Thursday.

KDF official Sammy Mwangangi expects stiff competition in the tourney.

“All systems are in place and we are looking forward to a successful event. The event makes a comeback after two year break and we expect some good matches from teams”, said Mwangangi, who doubles up as the KDF (men and women) Team manager that feature in the Kenya Handball Federation National League.

“The event couldn’t have come at a right time as we want to use the competition to prepare our teams ahead of the next month' league kick off. The 2017 season will be competitive and we have to build a strong squad and be at our best if we have to challenge for the title and the upcoming International assignment.”

Ulinzi men are the defending champions, while their female counterparts finished runners-up last season behind Nairobi Water.