National men's deaf team braced up for handball league debut

Under the name Young City, the national men’s deaf handball team that took part in last month’s Deaflympics will, this season, form part of the 15-team Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men’s league.

Fixtures Secretary Charles Omondi, while confirming the development says the team will be using the league to improve their players as it was evident they lacked court time and exposure on the international assignment.

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The deaf handball side has no league in Kenya and are only assembled from counties where action is not consistent, whenever they have to represent the country.

“We realized that there are no big differences as to how they play their game, especially in terms of officiating so this will be no problem. Their officials needed to have the players in action as often as possible and this is a perfect platform.

We have included the men’s team first as a majority are based in Nairobi. Plans are underway to have the women’s team also taking part in the league. The challenge came in due to the fact that a majority of the women’s team players are based outside Nairobi but a solution is being sought,” offered Omondi.

Action was scheduled to throw off in ay with changes in the format from round-robin to home and away basis. It was expected that a lower tier league would also be put in place but that has not come to pass.

“We held a consultative team mangers’ meeting on the weekend and it was agreed that the prosed changes be effected gradually. For this season, the league format remains. We are in talks with several stakeholders on the possibility of having a lower tier league and the team managers agree that when the league is in place the top tier can be reduced to 12 teams,” Omondi explained.

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In addition to the inclusion of Young City, the league will see the return of University of Eldoret (UoE) who have missed the last two seasons. Nairobi City Council (NCC) men’s and women’s teams have also been included.

Saturday

YOUNG CITY VS N.C.C (M) 10.00 AM

MAKUENI BEES VS N.C.P.B (M) 11.30 AM

J.K.U.A.T VS N.C.P.B (W) 13.00 PM

J.K.U.A.T VS BUCANEERS (M) 14.30 PM

STRATHMORE VS MAKUENI BEES (M) 16.00 PM

Sunday

MAKUENI BEES VS J.K.U.A.T(M) 10.00 AM

YOUNG CITY VS BLACK MAMBA (M) 11.30 AM

J.K.U.A.T VS NBI. WATER (W) 13.00 PM

N.C.C VS STRATHMORE (M) 14.30 PM

N.C.P.B VS BUCANEERSS (M) 16.00 PM