Namwela secondary school will return to the Kenya National Secondary schools Sports Association after 39 years of long wait.
The Bungoma based school last competed at the national championships in 1980 after losing to St. Patrick’s Iten at the finals since then the school has never been at the national but this year, they be traveling to Kisumu for the national championships representing Western region.
The school will be depending on Beach Volleyball under 18 captain Kevin Muyelele and Asbel Kipkemboi.
Head coach Isaac Muresia Nicholas said Muyelele and Kipkemboi were in the Kenya team at the Rwanda memorial championships.
“We are returning to the national championships with a reason to carry the title. As we have studied, we stand a better chance to advance from the group stages since our opponents are not strong enough,” said Muresia.
Muresia said the school was on top in 1978 all the way to 1981 and from that time, they are returning into the limelight again.
“We have to play better volleyball, than our fathers. The young talents playing today, as sons of the best volleyballers of those days therefore we have to represent our fathers very well,” reiterated Muresia.
The success of the team did not come on a silver plate but hard world and tireless training especially April holidays.
“Since they are students, we train over April holidays and evenings after classes. The one hour training is good for the boys who are very sharp and ready for the task. The two players have been very instrumental after gaining experience from Kenya team. But I have the best twelve players where I learn the game plan of our opponents then field the best,” added Muresia.
He added that he will fit well in the shoes of multiple national champions Malava Boys who have dominated the region.
“If a look at the pooling, I stand a better chance to advance. I will play Lang’ata, which may be a hard team but looking at the records, no Nairobi team has beaten a team from Western region. I want to fit in the shoes of Malava who have represented our region very well,” added Muresia.
Additional information The Star