• “All these championships need proper preparations. Without that, we will only be wasting time and resources,” said Muresia.
• Meanwhile, 18 men's and 11 women's teams have enlisted for the Premier Tournament.
Image: Courtsey: Isaac Muresia
East Africa secondary schools volleyball champions Namwela Boys’ have intensified their training ahead of the fifth edition of Chwele Premier Volleyball tournament set for this weekend at Sanandiki Primary School.
Head coach Isaac Muresia said the two-day tournament forms part of their preparations for a busy 2024 calendar.
“When schools closed, players did not go home but we had to remain in school to intensify our training because we have a very busy calendar of events in 2024,” said Muresia.
Among the tournaments they have on schedule are the Busia Open, the Africa Cup of Nations for schools in South Africa in February and the International Schools Federation (ISF) Championships set for April in Berlin, Germany.
“All these championships need proper preparations. Without that, we will only be wasting time and resources,” said Muresia.
To clinch the ticket to South Africa and Germany, Namwela won the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association.
Namwela finished third at the national school games in Kakamega, behind champions Ruthimitu and Andersen, but went ahead to outdo them at the regional championships, where they beat Uganda's Namugongo 27-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-12 in regional final in Rwanda.
Muresia said that winning may be easy but defending the title is a big deal.
"We know we will have it rough in defending our titles but we are determined. Teamwork will see us through," he said.
On the trips to South Africa and Germany, Namwela will be joined by girls’ champions Kwanthanze.
Kwanthanze exerted revenge on national champions Kesogon, beating them 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13) in Rwanda.
Meanwhile, 18 men's and 11 women's teams have enlisted for the Premier Tournament.
The men's list has Namwela Boys, Namwela Volleyball Club, Sibanga, 37 Legends, Bwake, Bungoma Mtaa, Mt Elgon Club, Junior Elgon, Bokoli Club, Uganda’s Amus College, Kamukuywa Club, Secret, Misri, Miruri Secondary, Kahawa Wendani, and Western Prisons.
Gladiers lead the title chase in the women's division alongside Kitale Queens, Mwitoti Secondary, Savana Secondary, Miruri, Divas, Bunyala College, Soweto Queens, Amus College, Uganda, Secret Lodwar and Mechimeru.