Kaya Tiwi Girls basketball team in Kwale County will represent the country in the East Africa Tournament, set to take place in Mbale, Uganda next month.
The competition scheduled to kick off on October 16, will see schools drawn from across East Africa compete fiercely for the championship title.
The team was officially unveiled and flagged off yesterday by the Matuga MP Kasim Tandaza at Kaya Tiwi Boys High School in Matuga Sub-County.
The newly unveiled team is set to travel to Uganda this week to prepare for the prestigious tournament, which will showcase Kenya on a grand stage.
This will be the fourth time the Kaya Tiwi Girls basketball team competes in the East African tournament, following their previous attempts in 2019, 2021, and 2023, where they fell short of claiming the trophy.
During the flag-off, Tandaza praised the girls for their hard work and dedication, noting that they have made Kwale and the entire country proud.
The MP pledged his support to ensure the team’s success and their timely arrival for the much-anticipated tournament.
Tandaza reminded the girls of their mission, emphasizing that they should maintain their focus and not lose sight of their goal until they secure the trophy.
“We are here to celebrate your departure. Please don’t let us down. Secure that victory and continue to raise our flag high,” he said.
The MP emphasized the importance of nurturing students’ talents in schools.
He noted that talent can lead to significant rewards and should be given the attention it deserves.
The MP also underscored the need for talented students to maintain a strong sense of discipline, noting that talent and discipline go hand in hand.
He said without discipline, talent is meaningless and prone to failure.
At the same time, Kaya Tiwi High Chief Principal Daudi Japhet urged the students to balance their studies and sports effectively.
He acknowledged the importance of nurturing talents, noting that they become even more valuable when coupled with education.
Japhet emphasized that students must focus on obtaining a solid education to support themselves after their sports careers.
“Sports are beneficial, but as you age, you won’t be able to run and dribble like you do now. However, with a certificate, you’ll find it easier to secure a job,” he said.
He, however, wished the school basketball team the best of luck and encouraged them to strive for nothing less than victory.
The team’s Assistant Coach, Adhiambo Evarlyne, affirmed their commitment to clinching the East Africa Trophy.
She noted that the team has missed the trophy several times, having secured second and third positions in previous tournaments, and emphasized that this time, it won’t be business as usual.
“We promise to reach the finals and win the tournament,” she said.
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Kaya Tiwi Girls basketball player Angelina Adhiambo expressed their readiness to face opponents in the foreign country.
She assured that they are well-prepared and that other schools should brace themselves for a tough battle.
Adhiambo acknowledged that it has not been an easy journey, but assured that they will continue to work hard to represent Kenya on the international stage.
By Our Correspondent
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