The Handball Federation of Kenya launched a Project for the development of the National Sports System at Strathmore University on 12th March 2022 with International Handball Federation (IHF)appointed lecturer Dr. Zoltán Marczinka from Hungary in the country to conduct the IHF Level C coaching course.
The Project sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity program through the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, has seen a total of 28 coaches with level C coaching courses from Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda.
The program becomes the first of its kind to be held in the region and is scheduled to run for eight days with an aim to help develop a comparatively uniform coaching system for handball in the country.
“This marks the start of new levels of handball coaching in the country. This training is very important for the development of the game in the country. We are aiming to harmonize the coaching system and structures in the country to play the same handball. It’s quite a milestone since it’s the first time we are having such training in the region.” Said course director, Charles Omondi, who’s also the technical director of Handball Federation.
Present during the launch were NOC-K Executive members, Secretary General Francis Mutuku, CDM Commonwealth Games John Ogolla and Women Representative Paurvi Rawal.
Urging the federation and coaches to embrace new technology, the IHF Instructor spoke on his expectation once the course comes to a close on Saturday 19th March 2022.
“It’s my second time here and I’m more than happy and privileged. Generally, I’m here to conduct a coaching course level C and the turn up is impressive. The participants have shown the urge and determination to know more and that’s a good sign. The sport is growing and it’s only fair that it gets the much-needed knowledge that will trickle down to the grassroots.” He spoke.
Rwanda has Francois Ngarambe, Antoine Ntabanganyimana and Pascal Tuyisenge who is also the Rwanda Handball Federation Secretary General.
Uganda has Aziz Yakub and Sisay Senshaw representing Ethiopia.
Purity Nyawira and Nancy Owaga are some of the Kenyan players who are also in attendance.
Owaga, the Team Manager for the Nanyuki team said the course was timely.
“The league has just ended, I assure you, had I known all I was learning a few weeks ago, my team would have performed so much better. The National league is just weeks away and I’m sure all the coaches here can’t wait to bring their A-game on, so we’re entirely grateful to the IOC, NOC-K, IHF and the Handball Federation.” Said the Kenya Defence Forces player.
Speaking at the launch NOC-K secretary general Francis Mutuku reiterated the importance of developing sports systems.
“Development of Systems and capacity building for federations is part of the NOC-K Legacy plan to help improve the standards of sports in the country and this will help put Kenya on the map during international competitions” Francis Mutuku
The Federation selected coaches from different regions in the country with a plan to ensure the lessons learnt trickled down to the grass-root level. Upon completion of the program, the participating coaches will now qualify to get level C coaching license from the International Handball Federation.
A similar program will be run in June, for coaches in the lower level to ensure they acquire level D License, which is introduction to Handball.