L. MathekaJuma calls for national team continuity in the face of IHF defeats
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 03.11.22. | 11:54
Kenya finished third (Under-18) and fifth (Under-20) in the IHF competitions.
Coach Gerald Juma says Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) have the opportunity to build a solid men's national team if they can keep the junior teams that took part in the just-concluded Africa Zone Five IHF Youth and Junior Championships active.
Kenya hosted the championship in Nairobi that involved the two age groups Youth (Under-18) and Junior (Under-20) with Juma handling the former while Kenya International Thodosia Sangoro and Brian Mathews tutored the other side.
While the Under-20 team was bundled out of the competition in the group stage, Juma's charges managed a third-place finish, coming short in their title-defense ambitions.
However, the renowned tactician, Juma, believes that two teams had an impressive outing and it is upon the federation yo ensure continuity and build towards a stronger senior team that can compete continentaly.
"We had an entirely new team in the Under-18 category and only one player in the Under-20 team, Douglas Wekesa had transitioned from yhe 2018 Youth team to the Junior category. While new and inexperienced the playersgave a good account of themselves," Juma explained.
He continued, "We,however, need to have continuity in the squad. Next year some of them will graduate to the Under-20 category.
Those who will still be legible to play in the Under-18 will be included as they provide the leadership and experience needed in that age group.
This is the kind of gradual growth all stakeholders should strive for as it will propel our senior national team to greater heights in the near future."
The tactician, while acknowledging that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on any plans to have 100% transition, was quick to add that such plans should be well laid down and an implementation scheme availed to all involved for a successful project.
