Narok keen on reign: National schools boys’ hockey champs hope to silence doubters

Dennis Mwangi (left) of Friends School Kamusinga fights for the ball Markuku Rokoi (right) of Narok Boys High School

For years on end, Friends School Kamusinga had been calling shots in schools boys’ hockey circles. Well, not until Narok High School came calling. When Emmanuel Mure struck that priceless goal after 15 minutes in this year’s national final against the much-fancied Kamusinga in Mombasa, all mouths except Narok’s, were left agape.

When the final whistle sounded, they were the undisputed national champions thanks to Mure’s gem. They had done the unthinkable. For any schools hockey faithful, it surely bordered sacrilege. For a nondescript team to dethrone the kings and leave them bare was just improbable. Narok’s crowning moment also came when their influential striker Ratia Fanaka was declared Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

And now, it will require something special for teams to wrestle the national schools boys’ hockey title from Narok High School.

“We were very delighted to win our maiden national title. It was a stiff battle, but when it all came to an end, we achieved what we had prayed for - a national trophy,” Narok’s coach, Stephen Ole Kenga, told Feverpitch yesterday.

While the surprise win might have come as a shocker for many, it was long coming for Narok. They had done their homework well, learnt their opponents’ weaknesses and with the precision of a wounded Leopard, pounced and struck their prey with delight.

“After we finished fifth in last year’s national games, we knew what lay ahead of us. The teams we played against were all good, but lacked in some departments and this is where we capitalised on to win,” Ole Kenga added.

To ensure Ole Kenga guides his charges to the title defence when finals are held on April 19, 2015 in Machakos, the tactician will require his battalion to be at it its best, especially after some of his top players sat for their form four examinations.

“We have several players who just sat for their form four examination, but we have other replacements and we will be good to go come next season,” Ole Kenga said.

While appreciating Narok’s prowess, Friends School Kamusinga’s head coach, Emmanuel Sanya sees an opportunity to rectify where he went wrong and bag his team’s 11 national title. For a side that has also won the East Africa hockey title an impressive four times, his work is clearly cut out.
“We know the battle ahead of us will be tough, but we know where to better ahead of the new season,” Sanya said yesterday.

Next year’s season will get underway with Term One national finals from April 13 in Machakos, before Nyeri hosts Term Two ‘A’ games that include athletics and rugby from June 5. Ball games, which fall under Term Two ‘B’ calendar of events, will be held in Eldoret from July 24 to August 2, before paving way for the coveted East Africa Secondary School games to be held in Rwanda from August 14.