KHF name provisional squad for Games qualifiers
KDF's Nicholas Ireri (right) is tackled by National Cereals and Produce Board Alvin Omondi (left) and Edgar Arunga during their East and Central Africa Handball championship played at Nyayo Stadium on December 10, 2014. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- The team has both men (30) and women (24).
- The players have been drawn from the clubs and Universities that feature in the ongoing KHF national league.
Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) on Wednesday named a provisional squad of 54 men and women players ahead of the Zone-five championship set for March 8 to 14 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The team, which has 30 men and 24 women, is set for a bruising qualification road for the All Africa Games set for Congo later this year, and will face six teams including neighbours Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan and hosts Ethiopia.
The players have been drawn from the clubs and Universities that feature in the ongoing KHF national league.
The men's team will be under the stewardship of James Kinyua (Kenya Defence Forces) and Peter Mwathi (Strathmore University men's team).
Coach Jack Ochieng of the reigning national and East and Central Africa Club Champions Nairobi Water women's team and Francis Pere of Nazarene University women's team will be guide the ladies side.
GREAT CHANCE
The teams will start training at the Nyayo National Stadium handball court on Saturday and Kinyua believes both teams have a great chance of doing well in the qualifiers.
“The squad is easy to work with since all these players are drawn from the teams that feature in the league. The fact that they know each other and how they play, in a way will make work easier for us," said Kinyua.
“Our work is to ensure that the players are able to work together for the good of the team. We are aware of what is at stake and therefore, we will work towards that.”
His women’s counterpart, Ochieng said: At the end of it all, we want to come up with a formidable squad that will do duty to the country in the eight-day event. As much as the players have been playing against each other, now they have to play as a unit.”
The squads will be trimmed down to the final team ahead of the event.
WOMEN
Regina Waithere, Phoebe Akinyi, Fatuma Mohamed, Grace Madegwa, Rose Adhiambo, Winnie Kirwa, Jeruoit Wanjiku (all NCPB), Caroline Kusa, Michelle Adhiambo, Melvin Akinyi, Tracy Ongiri, Gladys Chillo, Cecilia Katheu , Brenda Ariviza, Merina Andala, Judith Augoh, Brenda Musambai, Winnie Otaya, Faith Mikhala and Winnei Miyienda (all Nairobi Water), Conjestina Owaga, Phoebe Mureithi, Alexina Wambani and Sharon Mulei (all KDF).
MEN
John Wekesa and Derrick Kadenge (TUK), Nicolas Okore and Evan Alulu (Kenyatta University), Cellestine Okayana and Caleb Ochieng (Strathmore University), Victor Siero, Tyrus Ochieng, Peter Antony, Elvis Otieno, Cere Otieno, Victor Otuoma, Thodosia Sangoro, Rodgers Arunga and David Odhiambo (all NCPB).
Frank Kiptoo, Nicolas Ireri, John Ombok, Victor Oduol, Paul Ngei, Musa Munyama, Kipngetich Junior, Lord Lemayian, James Chalo and Mark Omusasia (all KDF), Paul Ondara, Byron Agunda, Bruno Sewe, Augastine Okello and Martin Nguli (Black Mamba).
