Kenya clinch bronze at UAE Netball Championship

Kenyan national netball team, popularly known as the Divas, wrapped up their campaign at the UAE Netball Championship in style, securing a well-deserved bronze medal after a 46-37 victory over Ireland.

The six-day tournament concluded with Namibia, the pre-tournament favorites, living up to their billing by claiming gold with a 62-53 win in the final.

Kenya entered the third-place playoff with confidence, having already defeated Ireland in the round-robin stage.

The Divas started strong, taking control early and winning the first quarter 13-5 with sharp attacking play and disciplined defense.

Ireland attempted a fightback in the second quarter, frequently pushing through the wings. However, Kenya’s solid backline, led by the ever-alert Teresa Odhuon and team captain Parin Simiyu, kept the Irish threat at bay. The Divas maintained their dominance to head into halftime with a 24-15 lead.

In the third quarter, Kenya continued to build on their momentum. Wing attacker Elsa Ndong and dynamic center Irine Akinyi orchestrated several incisive plays that fatigued the Irish defense. By the end of the quarter, Kenya remained firmly in control with a 34-28 lead.

With the bronze medal within reach, coach Mugisha Ali made strategic substitutions in the final quarter, introducing Ramadhan Pauline and Vida Adhiambo in place of Cynthia Milinya and Ndong. The changes injected fresh energy into the team, allowing the Divas to close out the match 46-37.

“This tournament has been a real test—every team came well-prepared,” said head coach Mugisha Ali. “We came here with a fresh squad compared to the one that played in Singapore last August, and I am proud of the progress we made in every game.”

Captain Parin Simiyu also praised the team’s performance, especially after a difficult start which saw Kenya narrowly lose to Namibia and Singapore in the group stages.

Standout center Irine Akinyi was named Kenya’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament for her consistent and impactful performances throughout.