Women handball earn Kenya first medal at Africa Beach Games

• The team won silver after losing to Tunisia
• The game was forced to shoot-out after a 1-1 draw
• They had finished fourth in the first Beach Games in 2019

Kenya clinched its first medal at the Africa Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia, after the women’s handball team secured silver after defeat to hosts Tunisia in the final match of the five-team round robin tournament.

In a closely contested final match, the Kenyan girls narrowly lost out 3-1 to the hosts in the shoot-out after a thrilling 1-1 draw in two sets. Demonstrating resilience and unwavering focus, they came from a set down to tie the duel, defying the pressure from a partisan crowd. However, the Tunisian experience showed in the shoot-out, where they scored thrice, while the Kenyan girls managed only one goal.

Skipper Michelle Adhaimbo expressed her delight with the team’s silver medal, highlighting the motivation it provides for future success.

The team’s progress from a fourth-place finish in the previous edition held in Sal, Cape Verde, in 2019 exemplifies their continuous improvement.

Means so much to the team 

Kenya in action against Tunisia in the women’s beach football

Adhiambo, who is also the skipper of the national regular handball team, shared her thoughts on the achievement, stating, “This means so much for us because most of the players in the team are newcomers, and this is their first time at such a competition. For them to go back home with a medal means so much, and it gives us motivation to push even harder.”

Adhiambo further added, “This experience has given us a clear picture of where we stand as a team and has shown us that it is possible to achieve even greater success. We came very close this time, and we will take the lessons learned from this championship to strive for excellence in the next.”

The Kenyan team showcased their skills throughout the final match. Tunisia won the first set 24-19, capitalizing on marginal errors by the Kenyan girls at the tail end of the set. However, the Kenyan team rectified their approach, dominating the second set and emerging victorious with a score of 20-17.

In addition to the success of the women’s team, the men’s handball team achieved an impressive fifth-place finish in the tournament after defeating Mali in straight sets during the placement matches.

Significant improvement for the men’s team 

This accomplishment represents a significant improvement from their ninth-place finish in the inaugural edition of the games held in Sal, Cape Verde, in 2019.

Victor Otuoma, a key member of the men’s team who also served as Team Kenya’s flag bearer at the tournament, expressed the team’s elation with their performance, stating, “As a team, we have made tremendous strides and have been improving with each match. This achievement marks a massive improvement from the last championship. We are delighted with our progress as a team and are determined to continue moving up.”

The outstanding performance of both the women’s and men’s handball teams reflects Kenya’s commitment to developing and excelling in beach handball on the African stage. The teams’ achievements serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for athletes across the nation.