The Kaya Tiwi Girls team from Kwale County will represent Kenya in the East Africa Tournament slated for next month in Mbale, Uganda. Competition is due to start on 16th October and features top schools around East Africa fighting for the championship.
The team was officially unveiled and flagged off by Matuga MP Kasim Tandaza at Kaya Tiwi Boys High School in Matuga Sub-County. The team leaves this week for Uganda in some build-up toward the prestigious tournament for which they are to represent their skills on the international stage.
This will be the fourth time Kaya Tiwi Girls represents in the East Africa Tournament, previously in 2019 and 2021, and later in 2023. Though the team has never won this trophy in their past participation, this time they are set to make history by bringing it home.
MP Tandaza lavished applause on the team, describing it as dedicated and hardworking, making Kwale and Kenya proud. He promised to give them all support to make their mission a success, asking the players to maintain focus on bringing home the trophy.
“We are here for your send-off. Please do not disappoint us. Make sure you win and keep our flag flying high,” said Tandaza, referring to how talent coupled with discipline made it possible.
The Kaya Tiwi High Chief Principal, Daudi Japhet, addressed the students, telling them to go out and balance sports with studies. He said it is good to play sports, but education is the key to a better future. Japhet urged the team to excel in both basketball and academics.
According to Assistant Coach Adhiambo Evarlyne, it was resolved by the team to win the East Africa trophy, having emerged second and third in previous tournaments. This time, with enhanced determination, they had committed themselves to reaching the finals and bringing home the championship.
Kaya Tiwi Girls basketball player Angelina Adhiambo called for calm, assuring fans back home that the team is ready for whatever is ahead and will do its best in representing Kenya.
The community, by and large, is anticipating and is very enthusiastic to see Kaya Tiwi Girls bring home the championship.