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 12th, 2009 at Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi and the second match on July 14th, 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…
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.
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….
