KENYA TCHOUKBALL FEDERATION – THE SUMMARY OF 2009

This is the year 2009 at a glance as concerns the development and promotion of tchoukball in Kenya.

MILESTONES
• We establish new contacts with Jomo Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Moi University and Mombasa Polytechnic University College
• Tchoukball is introduced to Rabai Road Primary School, Martin Luther Primary School, Coulson Schools, Kenyatta university and the University of Nairobi
• Tchoukball spreads from Nairobi Region to the Rift Valley Province as far as Kijabe and Gilgil
• The first ever tchoukball Inauguration Tournament at Starehe Boys’ Centre
• The First ever Jamhuri Day Tchoukball Tournament at Nyayo Stadium… it lays the basis for the forthcoming tchoukball national leagues
• The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs gets involved in promoting tchoukball in Kenya
• Coca-cola Kenya signals corporate interest in promotion of tchoukball by being the sponsors of Kenya Tchoukball Federation Luncheon in Nairobi
• We acquire new tchoukball equipment i.e. frames, balls and T-shirts
• The first ever pair of tchoukball equipment is made in Kenya
• Kenya Tchoukball Federation becomes officially registered in Kenya
• Kenya Tchoukball Federation is officially admitted to the FITB, International Tchoukball Federation.


Having demonstrated our ability to promote tchoukball at a great rate, we are certain of an exponential growth of tchoukball in Kenya, especially as we gear up for the first ever African Continental Tchoukball Tournament in Accra 2010. Having also demonstrated our ability to locally produce tchoukball frames and assemble the equipment to perfection, we are certain of great development speed of tchoukball in Kenya. We are sure of one thing, there is an enormous interest and demand of tchoukball in Kenya and we must do all that is possible to meet those demands. We promise to deliver greater things in the coming 2010.
MERRY CHRISTMAS GREAT PEOPLE!

Jamhuri Day Tchoukball Match!

The Jamhuri Day Tchoukball Match

On 12th of December 2009, Kenya celebrated a very important day in its history. Jamhuri Day is a very important day in Kenyan history as it reminds the nation of its foundation and declaration to be a republic. For that matter the day is a national holiday celebrated annually in all parts of the country, the climax of which happens at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

This year the celebrations at Nyayo stadium was quite unique due to the fact that it also marks the first time ever tchoukball was played at such a forum in Kenya. After the entertainment and the vital speeches of the Prime Minister and the President, Kenya Tchoukball Federation was given a chance to showcase the new game of tchoukball and have the first ever Jamhuri Day Tchoukball Match. The match was played at the Handball Court of Nyayo National Stadium and it attracted a wide audience of curious onlookers as well as handball fanatics and tchoukball fans in Kenya.

After the demonstration of tchoukball which was spearheaded by Julio Calegari and Kennedy Miruka, the most awaited match kicked off between Starehe Tchoukball Club and The University of Nairobi Tchoukball Club. Both teams, though having new players, showed a considerable amount of expertise and battled in a breathtaking high speed match that kept the pace of the game at an exceedingly exciting notch.

In the end, Starehe Tchoukball Club lifted the highly coveted trophy after a narrow win of 37 – 35 over the University team.
Congratulations to the Starehe Tchoukball club for such a sterling performance and congratulations for the University of Nairobi for making it to the Finals.

The Starehe Team led by captain, Elvis Juma, included the following athletes:
• Eli Justus
• Josiah Ngoro
• Hassan Juma
• Cornelius Makori
• Samuel Sikoa
• Charles Kemei
• George Bulimu
• Wesley Koech

The University team on the other hand was led by Goeffrey Wekesa and included the following athletes:
• Polycarp Okock
• Patrick Kimani
• Dennis Muriithi
• Paul Ndungi
• Paul Maina
• Emmanuel Okeri
• Cosmas Wachira
• Clement Lang’at
• Barrack Obama

This being the first match, it sets precedence for subsequent Jamhuri Day Tournaments which we know shall improve each year and will include more and more teams as tchoukball grows in Kenya.

We are very thankful to the Kenyan Government and specifically to the Ministry of Sports and Youth affairs, through the sports department for their tremendous support during this event. We are thankful to Ms Agnes and Mr. Alfred Anditi for their presence and acceptance to grace the occasion. Besides the Trophy, they also ensured we had transport for both teams and provided us with refreshments during the event. Their assistance was indeed the very element of the success of the day. Many thanks indeed and we hope to continue the good collaboration in the coming days, months and even years…

We also appreciate the kindness and brotherliness of the Austrian Team for their vital support in the promotion of tchoukball in Kenya. Most specifically, we are truly thankful for the T-shirts that they donated during the Jamhuri Day event. The T-shirts will contribute a great deal towards our promotional activities in Kenya. The Austrian Team has strongly demonstrated one of the fundamental principles upon which tchoukball was founded, that is to forge friendliness and brotherhoods between different communities of the world.

We also want to thank the executive committee of Kenya Tchoukball Federation and especially the V. President, Mr. John Opot for their great commitment to ensure that everything goes according to plan.

As we close the year, we look forward to greater things ahead. We anticipate an exponential growth of tchoukball in Kenya in 2010 and we still extend our invitation to any team in the world that would like to have a friendly/ competitive match with us to feel free and contact us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS TCHOUKFILLED 2010

Launch Of Kenya Tchoukball Federation

Kenya Tchoukball Federation is now an official Member of the International Tchoukball Federation, FITB. This was ratified on the last General Assembly held in Geneva on September 26th and 27th. This makes Kenya the Second African Country to Join FITB.

Kenya tchoukball Federation was launched on 26th September 2009 at Starehe Boys' Centre sports ground.

The Commissioner for sports in Kenya, Mr. Gordon Oluoch presided over the luncheon which was sponsored by Coca Cola Company.


The inaugural tournament was between Starehe Boys' Centre Tchoukball Team and The university of Nairobi tchoukball team

We are very thankful for Starehe Boys' Centre for allowing us to use their premises for the luncheone desite the Swine Flu alert which demanded that functions should be avoided if they encouraged crowding of people.

Many thanks to the executive commitee as well, and especially the my deputy, Mr. John Opot, without whom the event would have not been had. Special thanks to the teams that participated, the visitors and guest that attended and all those participated in any way. Your contribution went a long way to ensure the success of the event. Thank you all.

We are now done with the conception, the gestation and the delivery of our new born Kenya Tchoukball Federation. Our next step which is in progress is the nurturing of this baby to ensure it grows through to adulhood and maturity.

We hope to keep growing better and stronger as we comtinue making tomorrow today. Actually the future is bright!

Tchoukball Clinic At Rift Valley Academy

On 19th of September, 2009 we conducted a tchoukball clinic at Rift Valley Academy,
Many guest from across the country came for the event and left with the knowledge of the beauty of tchoukball.

Todd, the PE teacher was very helpful indeed and his students were able to learn so fast. In fact, one of them having learnt and played the game for the first time was able to act as a referee for one of the matches played thereafter. This was amazing! and it shows how quickly and easily we can learn to play tchoukball.

One successful thing was that this clinic was conducted using the very first pair of frames made in kenya and indeed all the equipment was local.

SOME OF OUR PHOTOS DURING PRACTICE

Hey!

Check out some of the spectacular stunts performed by Kenyan Tchoukballers!

Check out some of these spectacular photos of our tchoukball teams in action...

As it is said a photo is worth a thousand words...

I look forward to making your tchoukball experience even more exciting by postion videos of our practices as well...

...Just watch this space!

Tchouk you!

Fingers Crossed! Kenya Tchoukball Federation...

Kenya Tchoukball Has Come a long way and as we prepare for the official launch of Kenya Tchoukball Federation in late September 2009!

Kenya – United Kingdom Tchoukball Match 2009

The first match was held on July 12^th, 2009 at Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi and the second match on July 14^th, 2009 at the same venue. The first game ended in a draw of 33 all while the second was a narrow win by Kenya after managing a 44-43 lead.

Due to the fact that both matches were played and refereed in accordance with the international standards, it emerges that the second match was much faster and more fascinating as both teams battled to outwit each other. The skills of shooting and defending were graciously displayed and an amazing mastery of the game was more than evident.

Mr. Young, the coach of the UK team was so amazed at the flight power of the Kenyan players and especially admired the prowess and skills of one Joseph Okoth from the Kenyan team.

“Wow!” he exclaimed, “I really like the way this player shoots the ball! He jumps high well above the frame, takes time in the air to compose himself, and then ….whoosh….! You never see where his ball lands!”

This was just a display of the demeanor and gist with which the Kenyan youth have taken to exploit the athletic skills in tchoukball! So if you thought Kenya was just good in marathons and cross-country, think again… we are breeding the world tchoukball champions! With more international games, we are sure to prove ourselves!

This is why we invite you, wherever you are, to come and tchouk with us! Any country willing to engage Kenya in a friendly or competitive match is highly welcome to Kenya. Here, we take pride in talent building and friendship building…

International Matches

Since Tchoukball was started in Kenya in 2005, Kenya has played four international matches:

The first one was played in September 2005 at Flegg High School in Norfolk, UK where the Kenyan players were Kennedy Miruka, Edward Mbogo, Samuel Sifuna, Cavine Owaka and Suleiman Abdul Karim.

The second match was played in June 2006 at Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi, Kenya where several players from both sides participated. Kenya had a total of three teams all from Starehe while the UK had two good teams. It was during this time that Nina Crisp alongside Graem Young, Cherry Crowley and others really inspired the Kenyan team to aim even higher… and higher!

The other two matches were played this year as described above.

The Boost - Going Strong

We would very much like to appreciate the long standing relationship we have had with the Norfolk schools and especially Flegg High School, under the inspirational leadership of Cherry Crowley and their games teacher Greame Young. This year Kenya Tchoukball has received a great boost from Flegg.

We are very thankful for the six tchoukball balls and the three pairs of frames.

Kenya now has 20 bibs for practices, thanks to Julio Calegari, who has always found time to come and not only play with us but also to coach and sponsor some of our needs/ events. We are also thankful for the balls he has so kindly enabled us to acquire. We also have four working pairs of frames and 12 tchoukball balls certified by FITB. Thanks to Flegg High School and Mr. Julio. We are also greatly indebted to Starehe Boys Centre who have gladly accepted to host Kenya Tchoukball and provide us with a field to use…

The Future of Kenya Tchoukball.

The past four years have been very hard with scarcity of equipment and lack of generally tchoukball material for learning and practice. There have been great will to play the game but with no teams to hold tournaments and little resources to form such teams, things have been really hard. At particular points, despire beckoned but the spirit has been more willing to continue motivating the body.

Now we exlore and expand our frontiers to Coulson Academy in Gilgil, The University of Nairobi, Starehe Girls’ Centre in Kiambu and Nairobi Academy in Nairobi. These and other teams that we continue to incorporate now expand our horizons and brighten the future! We hope to play and start participating in FITB organized tournaments and as well as host teams from other countries. Due to our beautiful and diverse country we even hope to start playing beach tchoukball at the warm sandy beaches of the Kenyan Coast.

In Late September we hope to officially Launch Kenya Tchoukball Federation and fast-track our affiliation to FITB.

Once again , we look forward to welcoming you to our country for tchouk….