Cash crisis cripples Nairobi Water women outing

Nairobi Water team during Kenya Handball Federation League match against MKU of Thika at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday, June 4, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

A financial crisis has forced national women’s handball champions, Nairobi Water, to miss the 2017 Africa Club Championship set for Tunisia next week.

The four-time local champions are out of the continental show-piece that runs on October 20-29.

Yesterday, team manager Caroline Kusa confirmed that the team will not travel for the tournament due to lack of finances.

“This year, we are out of the continental competition due financial hitches. But we hope to take part in the regional club championship where we will defend our title,” said Kusa.

Nairobi Water is the only club from the country that has been taking part in the continental competition for the last six years, having a quarter final slot in 2014 in Tunisia another quarter final spot last year in Burkina as their best show. “We will now focus on the national league this year,” said Kusa.

Nairobi Water will be seeking to win their third consecutive East and Central Africa Club Championship crown set for Tanzania from 21-26 in Tanzania. In 2105, the Water Girls’ won the regional title in Rwanda and defended the title last year in Nairobi.

At the same time, the national league continues this weekend with matches scheduled for the refurbished Kaloleni Handball Court.

On Friday, Mount Kenya University (MKU) Thika Campus women will take on Sparklers in the first match of the day.

MKU’s men face Multi Media University (MMU) while Kenyatta University meets Technical University of Kenya (TUK).