Kenya handball team eyes Olympic ticket to Tokyo

The Kenya national handball team coach Peter Mwathi says they have high expectations of securing a ticket to the 2020 Olympic Games ahead of their January 15-25 qualifying campaign in Tunisia.

Kenya has been placed in Pool A alongside Egypt, DRC and Guinea and will begin its campaign against DRC on January 16 before facing favourites Egypt a day later before wrapping up the group action against against Guinea.

Mwathi named his squad on Monday with Kenyatta University’s Titus Kipruto and Allan Simiyu of Strathmore earning their first call-ups following eye-catching performances in the Kenya Handball Federation National League.

Speaking with Citizen Digital Mwathi has said he has high expectations of qualifying for Tokyo, because he has well experienced and talented players who will deliver the best results.

Mwathi added that they will not underrate any team, and will seek to win all their group matches although he has named Egypt as their biggest rivals.

“Egypt of course will be our biggest threats. They are the African champions but we will prepare well to face them and our goal is first to qualify for the quarters after which it will be a knockout and every match will be handled as it comes.”

Right winger Jackson Maloba has thanked the coach for identifying and trusting his potential, and he asserted that the team is well set and capable of qualifying to Tokyo.

“I take the call positively because my dream has always been to represent my national team at international competitions especially after I represented my school( St. Luke’s Boys High School- Kimilili in the East African competitions held in Liru, Uganda”  he said, adding this will also be a chance to showcase his talent at international levels.

The winger also urged the government to pump in more support to the game, in order to help nurture talents of many handball players who are lacking resources, citing that he himself is a beneficiary of sports.

“Myself I am a beneficiary of sports, having got a scholarship with Strathmore University due to my talent. There are many players out there who wish to get such chances and that will only be achieved if the government creates the resources.” he added.

Full Grouping

Group A – Egypt, Kenya, DRC, Guinea

Group B – Angola, Libya, Gabon and Nigeria

Group C  – Tunisia, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Cameroon

Group D – Morroco Algeria Zambia Congo

Full Squad

Nicholas Ndochi, Martin Nguli, Morgan Wamalwa, Paul Ondara (Black Mamba),Teddy Sidai ,Allan Simiyu, Rashid Ingwela, Kevin Obungha, Maxwel Munene, Simon Mutuku, Jackson Maloba (Strathmore University), Victor Otuoma, William Malui, Thodosia Songoro, Nicholas Okoro, Timothy Kirimi, Clinton Michael, Chris Miyiende, Elvis Otieno (National Cereals and Produce Board), Nicholas Otieno, Nicholas Ireri, Gideon Mulwa (Kenya Defence Forces), Tyrus Omondi (Rwanda Police), Brian Mathews (Denmark), Celestine Okoyana (Generation) and Titus Kipruto (Kenyatta University).