Kenya Prisons and Western wins the Cestoball Kenya Federation tournament

Western Ladies' Bella Amayi (left) and Grace Lichuma of Technical University of Mombasa during Nairobi Inter County Cestoball Tournament at The City Stadium Nairobi. October 17, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya Prisons retained their win during the second edition of the inter-county Cestoball tournament that was staged at the City stadium in Nairobi.

Prisons went unbeaten winning against Mathare 39-13, Homanbay 30-22, TUM 72-32, Eagles from Nairobi 18-10 walking away with an aggregate 239 points beating their close rival Mathare who gunned 148.

The first edition was played in Mombasa in August which also saw the Ruiru based soldiers win against Mathare.

 The tournament brought together six teams that comprised Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya Prisons, Homa Bay County, Western and Nairobi.

The tournament was used for the selection of the national team that will represent the country in the World Cup qualifiers in Argentina which will be held in November 2021.

 Twenty players were selected to the camp which will be trimmed to 8 for both. The men's team, Prisons-8, Mathare- 6, Homabay- 4 and TUM-2 while the women's team, Western-8, Mombasa-6, Homabay-2.

The national president of the game in the country Lawrence Adera said the game is being appreciated in the country very fast.

“This is a new game but we have seen the potential of the sport in Kenya. It is going to create opportunities for many, especially talent development in the country,” said Adera.

He added that the sport transmits good values, solidarity, friendship, teamwork and respect for others and helps children have a healthy life and social inclusion.

Western Ladies' Bella Amayi (left) and Grace Lichuma of Technical University of Mombasa during Nairobi Inter County Cestoball Tournament at The City Stadium Nairobi. October 17, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Cestoball is an Argentine sport created by Professor Enrique Romero Brest, the father of Argentine physical education. It was inaugurated in Kenya on 10th July 2021 and is sponsored by the ministry of sports and culture.

Cestoball is a team sport similar to that of netball, basketball and handball. However, the ball used is heavy in weight compared to the others.

The objective of the sport is to score as many goals as possible by shooting the ball through the hoop.

The match is played between two 6- player teams in two 20- minutes’ periods. The court measures 28 meters long by 16 meters wide and is divided by a central line.

In each half, there is one basket located within the field of play, 5 meters from the boundary line. This allows you to score goals from any point around you.

Two standalone net posts with baskets (which face up have a height of 3 meters and 30 centimetres with a diameter of 50 centimeters) are stationed on the courts within the playing area. Players are free to move behind the net posts.

Rule of the game is that players are not allowed to run with the ball. Balls have to be passed to move it up the field.

 The numerical balance rule is used whereby two players each must always be present in both the back court and the front court at all times failing which results in a penalty.

Round Robin rules also apply where each team has to play with all other teams before the winner is decided.

A player makes six faults before (s) he is sent off the pitch with a red card but will be allowed to play in the next game.  

Goals can be scored by shooting the ball from anywhere in the field. A field goal, which is shot during regular play is awarded two points, and free throws carry one point. The team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.