Former NCPB shot stopper Junior and former Rangers HC centre back Kololi settling well in Rwanda

Handball in the country has not thrived like other disciplines in terms of players seeking professional stints overseas but for National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) shot stopper Tyrus Agunda fondly known as Junior is living his dream of playing professional handball in Rwanda for the local men reigning champions Rwanda Police.

Junior joined the Police side in January alongside Rangers HC centre back Isaac Kololi for a one-year renewable contract for the most successful regional men's handball club.

"So far we have played nine matches and kept the unbeaten run a result that keeps us at the top of the league standing with 18 points ahead of APR who have 16 points. I have played all the matches and I thank the coach for finding faith in me. It's not that easy to go to a foreign country and get appreciated that easily," said Junior in an interview with Feverpitch.

Junior was part of the squad that took part in the Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Egypt in 2015 where the team finished last with the host winning a slot in the World Championship.

Apart from playing for the national senior team, Junior has also featured for the junior national team.

The goalkeeper says they are now focusing on winning the national league and regional club title that they lost last year to Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in Nairobi adding that language barrier has been a major challenge since most of the players in the team use Kinyarwanda.

"I'm trying to learn their language for easy communication but there are a few players who can speak English so I just need time to adjust well," he said.

Junior's short stint in Rwanda has been a joy after he was named man of the match a couple of weeks ago in their match against their arch rivals APR where Rwanda Police won 40-38.

"The joy I felt after that match can't be expressed. Winning a man of the match performance was great for me and the team because we won. The award is giving motivation to work even harder," he said.

Kololi straight from Kimilili High School in Bungoma is also living his dream of playing professional handball.

"The coach approached me while on national duty in Uganda where we were participating in the under-20 Zone VB IHF Challenge Trophy. Since I have been playing for Kimilili and Rangers HC for a season, I saw it wise to join the club and take on the challenge ahead. People here are friendly to foreigners and I'm settling well in the team," he said.

During the Zone VB IHF Challenge Trophy last December, the centre back posted a match winning  performance guiding the Kenyan side to third place ahead of the hosts, Uganda and the eventual winners Rwanda.

"The main challenge here is language barrier but I'm learning their local language for easy communication. I'm trying my best in order to gel with the team well this season and hopefully help the team secure the national league title," said Kololi.