Eastern champions Kyeni hope to secure East Africa games ticket

Griffins Omondi of st Mary's Yala scores during their Handball matchup with Manyatta High school on the opening day of Nyanza Regional School Games. [File, Standard] 

After making their national debut last year, Eastern Region girls handball champions Sacred Heart Kyeni are now eyeing a ticket to this year’s East Africa games to be staged in Morogoro, Tanzania.

They finished fifth at the 2025 National Term One games held in Mombasa in what their coach David Ng’ang’a says was due to lack of experience.

“We missed a ticket to last year’s East Africa games due to lack of experience. Being our first time at the nationals, I did not put the girls under any pressure but allowed them to play, learn and enjoy,” Ng’ang’a said.

He added that now that they are not new, they come out strong because they know what to expect.

“We have a fairly exposed side because nine players from last year’s games will be playing and their experience will bolster our chances of advancing to the knockouts. We have also prepared well compared to last year.”

Ng’ang’a revealed that he introduced the sport to the learners in 2020 to nurture local talent.

“For several years we were eliminated at the lower levels of competition. Our breakthrough came in 2024 when we reached the regional semi-finals. This inspired us to work harder hence winning the 2025 title and defending it this year,” Ng’ang’a added.

He noted debuting against giants Moi Girls Kamusinga and Dagoretti Mixed in Mombasa last year was an eye-opening experience.

Once again, Kyeni are pooled together with Kamusinga who will be out not just to defend their national crown but also ensure they remain in the race to protect their East Africa gong. They will also play Nyanza champions Nyakach Girls and Nairobi’s St Claire Nembu in Group A.