Kenya to host East and Central Africa handball Championship

By Fred Maingi

 Kenya will this year host the 24^th Edition of the East and Central Handball Club Championship that is scheduled between 4^th through to the 10^th of November

Kenya National Cereals and Produce Board who are champions in both categories (men and women) will be defending their titles after a relatively easy outing last year in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
However this year the Cereals women’s team expect stiff competition from their arch rivals Nairobi Water who finished 2^nd in the 2011/2012 after a tough encounter in the finals of the League play-offs in which they won by a single point , 27-26.
Eight teams from Kenya have so far confirmed participation in the regional competition with Defence Forces side Ulinzi opting to stay away from the tournament while Glorious Handball Club are yet to confirm their participation.
Kenya Handball Federation fixture secretary Charles ‘Jaji’ Omondi called out to Kenyans to support their teams and ensure that they fill the court during the championships,
“We have over seven local based teams, so I would like to encourage handball fans all over to come and watch the tournament.”
Team’s expected to participate include Rwanda Police,DRC Congo,Ethiopia Police,Tanzania,Ethiopia,Uganda and Zanzibar among others.

Meanwhile AFC Leopards vs. Ulinzi Stars match over the weekend at Mumias Complex raised Kshs 490,310 in gross ticket sales. The tickets sold at Kshs 200 each for terraces and Kshs 400 each for VIP.

  AFC treasurer Remy Mudi hailed the many Leopards fans who made it to Mumias to cheer the team, attributing the crucial win to the moral support. He also congratulated the playing unit for rising to the occasion to beat tough opponents in Ulinzi Stars who were equally thirsty for a win.

   The win increased Leopards tally to 51 points three behind leaders Tusker FC and one behind second placed Gor mahia. Leopards meets relegation threatened Oserian FC on Saturday 27^th October at Naivasha in another do or die contest. Whereas Leopards will want to triumph to enhance its chances of winning the title, Oserian will be fighting for survival and anything less than a win might as well confirm its exit from top flight.

  As Ingwe plot to prevail, it will also pray that Tusker and Gor mahia draw in the next match slated for Sunday 28^th October at City Stadium. With three matches remaining, anything less than a win is not helpful to the three title contenders.