'Caravan' of beach handball expanding sport in Kenya

Following the success of Beach Handball at the inaugural Kenya Beach Games last year, the Kenya Handball Federation have been busy promoting the sport across the country.

The second edition of the Kenya Beach Handball League got underway last September, while the premier edition of the 'Beach Handball Caravan' series was played out in December.

In addition to the action on the sand a variety of in-person and remote workshops for coaches, referees and players have been – and continue to be – held, including events relating to anti-doping.

Travelling and promoting

The Beach Handball Caravan aims to spread knowledge about the sport across the over 400km Kenyan coastline, with its debut edition starting in Lamu county on the Lamu Archipelago before moving through Kilifi county, Kwale county and concluding in capital city, Mombasa just before Christmas.

The final was held on Nyali Beach and featured senior men's and women's, plus junior men's and women's competitions.

In the women's event Coast Queens took the title, defeating Glorious Queens 2-0 in the championship decider, while Kilifi Wolves reigned supreme in the men's event, seeing off Mombasa Saints for the gold medal in a shoot-out (2-1) in front of Kenya Member of Parliament, Hon. Omar Mwinyi.

"After winning in both Kilifi and Mombasa counties it has been a memorable experience for me and my team," said Nerious Chonga, captain of the champion Kilifi Wolves men's team. "We will strive to keep leading the Kenyan Beach Handball scene."

Naomi Mapenzi Randu, who captains women's side Coast Queens also took time out to reflect on the achievements of her team.

"It was not easy at first was not so easy since we were competing against tough teams but we emerged winners and that makes us happy," she told ihf.info. "What I love about Beach Handball is that it provides the ability to acquire skills which helps physically and makes you fit. I love it a lot."

The next Kenya Beach Handball Caravan is set to take place in different coastal counties in Kenya at the end of the year, from November to December, with dates for the 2024 edition of the Kenya Beach Games to be confirmed by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

And with the Kenya Beach Handball League underway, concluding in September, 2024 is set to be another busy year for the sport.

"The debut of the Beach Handball Caravan will assist us in marketing Beach Handball to other regions," said Caroline Nyadiero – Kenya Handball Federation Executive Board member, KHF member in charge of Beach Handball and Chairperson of the Kenya Handball Women Commission to ihf.info.

"For 2024 we have planned numerous Beach Handball activities across our beaches. We will continue publicising and introducing Beach Handball into new territories where it is yet to be played and appeal to all well-wishers to support us in realising our dreams for the sport."

Regional and continental expansion

Beach Handball continues to take giant strides forward not only in Kenya but in the whole East Africa region, with an exciting event next month when the debut 'African Handball Confederation (CAHB) Zone 5 Member Countries Beach Handball Tournament and Training' event is held in Tanzania.

From 22 to 26 February, in capital city Dar es Salaam, 13 countries from the region have been invited to participate in the men's and women's competitions as well as individuals to get involved with coach, referee and delegate courses.

Under the motto 'Let's Build Beach Handball Together', any interested parties are encouraged to register or enquire about the momentous occasion by contacting the Tanzania Amateur Handball Association via email on [email protected].