Juma angling for EA School Games title with Makueni Bees

Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) men's league side Makueni Bees, a team drawn from Mbooni Boys High School in Makueni County are yet to open their account in the league but coach Gerald Juma says they are ready for the School Games challenge. 

Bees were scheduled to play their first league matches last weekend, with four more schedule for this weekend, but the team was unable to travel to Nairobi due to administrative reasons. 

Despite the setback, coach Juma says they are ready for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Games set to begin this month. The side is likely to be in action this week in the zonal level of competition.

"Our participation in the league has always been part of our preparations for the school competition but this year we are starting off without gauging ourselves. That has taken us one step behind in our preparations. We have not been able to play any tournaments either due to administrative and ministry's restrictions. I have, however, prepared my team well and as we begin our campaign at the zonal level, I am confident my players will do well," said Juma. 

The side made their debut at the KSSSA national games in 2019, held in Mombasa, and they went on to reach the final, losing to defending champions Kimilili. They proceeded to the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (EASSSA) games held in Arusha that same year. 

"Although our calendar was disrupted by Covid-19, we have retained at least seventy percent of the squad that did duty in 2019 and they have the experience. They have been sharpened by the experience in the league battling against tough opposition and their experience on our debut I the national and East Africa school games also comes in handy," revealed the tactician. 

The school boys are hoping to go one better this time and clinch the East African title that eluded national holders Kimilili in 2019 as they lost the final to Rwanda's Adegi. 

Juma, a renowned youth coach who has led Kimilili to multiple national and East Africa titles holds a certificate in coaching and mentoring course from Kenyatta University, level two coaching certificate attained in 2013.

He was scheduled for diploma coaching course at one of the respected training schools, University of Physical Education in Hungary, before Covid-19 hit making it impossible to travel for the three-month training. His course Sponsored by International Olympics Committee (IOC) through the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K). 

"I am hoping to get the team to play in the league before the competition advances to the County and regional levels as that will do us some good in getting the boys battle-hardened. This season, our target is on the East African title and that requires sharpness to compete against the best," said Juma.