Men’s Prisons team come second at World Netball Championship in South Africa

By REBECCA GICHANA

Ministry of Information and Technology netball team arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from South Africa yesterday after playing World Championships. They won Bronze.  [PHOTO: JENNIFER WACHIE: STANDARD]

Kenya’s representative in the just concluded Men’s World Championship, Prisons, finished second ahead of Australia Sonic, in Sun City, South Africa. 

Prisons was beaten 60-44 in the finals to settle for silver while Australia A beat South Africa 31-28 in the third play off.

The team accompanied by Ministry of Information and Communication and Technology (MOIC&T) landed yesterday morning.

MOIC&T settled for bronze behind silver medalist New Zealand and the winners Australia in the women’s category.

The championship was played in three different categories – Open, Mixed and Under-23.

Kenya finished third in the Mixed category after they defeated South Africa Sevens 48-35 in the third place play off.

Prisons booked the finals slot unbeaten in the whole championship and head coach Everline Cherono praised her team on the impressive performance.

“I appreciate the opportunity to represent our country in the World Championship for the first time,” said the tactician.

Standards in australia

 She added: “The standards of the sport in Australia are very high compared to Kenya. It was a good learning experience for us.”

“We are now looking forward to continue our training for the national league and upcoming tournament.”

Cherono added they would be working on the mistakes from the Championship to make sure they are prepared well in other international assignments.

“Australia has been taking part in many International competitions leading to them staging a good performance.

We only need exposure and by the time we take part in the next World Championship, I assure you we will be a better team from Africa,” said Cherono.

Prisons, who are also the East and Central Africa Champions, have dominated the local league, another  reason  for good performance they displayed.

Millicent Busolo, MOIC&T head coach was satisfied with the results saying it was a good experience for her charges since the Championship attracted good teams.

“New Zealand and Australia are good teams but we did our best and I am happy with the performance. It was not easy being our first time in the Championship,” Busolo told FeverPitch.

The women’s category attracted eight teams while the men’s category had five.

Australia Sonic defeated South Africa Sevens 52-27 in the finals of Under-23 category.

Kenya never sent a team to represent in this category.

 The Championship acted as a landmark event in the development of International men netball. –[email protected]