Juma confident Kenya will defend IHF trophy title

With the International Handball Federation (IHF) Youth (Under-18) and Juniors (Under-20) Championships, set to be held in Nairobi, three days away, coach Gerald Juma has exuded confidence in Kenya's ability to lift the titles. 

Juma, a renowned youth coach who is currently attached to Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) league side Makueni Bees who are players drawn from former Kenya Secondary School Sport Association (KSSSA) national silver medalists Mbooni Boys has been entrusted with the Youth team. 

National team player and multiple league title holders with National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Thodosia Sangoro will handle the junior team. 

Kenya set to host Zone V International Handball Federation

The tournament which will be held at Nyayo Handball Court and newly-constructed Ulinzi Sports Complex at the Lang’ata Barracks is set to run from the 24 to 30 October. 

The two sides are chasing qualification for the World Cup set for next year with the CAVB Zone Five IHF trophy the first step in the road map to the global championship. 

"Both teams are focused for the task ahead. The Junior team has been in training for two weeks but the Youth team has had only this week to prepare since they still have school schedules that we had to consider. 

All in all, I feel that both teams will be ready for action on Tuesday. The most important aspect is to have the players gel and play in sync as they are good technically and tactically," offered Juma. 

With a bulk of the Youth team having been selected form the just concluded KSSSA Games held in Nakuru last month and the East Africa games in Arusha, Juma believes their levels of fitness are good and if the bond they can defend the title. 

"The players are fit and and ready to go. I believe that we have the best squad, with strong goalkeeping and break-throughs. We are really banking on them to deliver the trophy and book a ticket to the continental championship," Juma added.  

According to organisers eight of the ten countries that were expected to field teams in both age-group events have confirmed their participation. 

The Youth championship will be held at Nyayo while the juniors converge at Ulinzi Complex every afternoon for seven days of grueling battle. 

With the tournament also being used as a platform by coaches and referees with teams represented in the competition to get training, the morning hours will be dedicated to the exercise. The coach training will be conducted by IHF lecturer Zoltan Marczinker.