2016 East and Central Africa Handball Championship:
Finals:
Men: Police (Rwanda) 41-43 Kenya Defence Forces, Ulinzi (Kenya)
Women: Nairobi Water (Kenya) 32-28 Kenya Defence Forces, Ulinzi (Kenya)
Felix Mukunzi, a handballer hailing from Uganda scored a joint game high 12 goals but was unfortunate to be on the losing side as Ulinzi (Kenya) defeated Rwanda’s Police 43-41 in Nairobi, Kenya.
Frank Kiplangat and Felix Kareithi scored 12 and 10 goals respectively for the home side.
This was the climax of the 28th edition that attracted only four clubs in the men’s category (Police from Rwanda, and three Kenyan sides Ulinzi, Black mamba and Cereals).
After a round robin format, Ulinzi finished on top of this group with four points and a goal difference of seven.
Black Mamba ended second, Police in third place and Cereals without a point.
Police head coach, Alphose Udahemuka, attributes the loss to a lapse in concentration.
In an interview with Rwanda’s New Times, Udahemuka noted;
We tried our best and dominated the whole game but luck was not on our side, it was a very balanced game but we lost concentration at the last minute which cost us the title.
Meanwhile, Nairobi water defeated Kenya Defence Forces (Ulinzi) 32-28 in another closely contested affair of the women climax.
Nairobi Water retained the title with six points unbeaten, NCPB were second with four points as KDF finished third with two points while Sparklers failed to win any match.
“It feels good to retain the trophy both locally and regionally. This year we have had a good competition and we hope next season will be better.I will not recruit more players as we have a good side and want to give each of the current players all the chances to play.” Nairobi Water coach Jack Ochieng was quoted by Nation media.
Ugandan sides did not take part due to financial constraints.
