Kenya’s national league champions Ministry of Communications and Information Technology(MOICT) won the East Africa Women’s netball title at Amani Stadium in Zanzibar.
MOICT who are Africa Club runners up ended Uganda’s National Insurance Corporation (NIC) nine years uninterrupted win of the regional championship by overwhelming the defending champions 32-29 in the closely contested finals.
MOICT under the tutelage of the Kenya Netball Federation (KNF) Fixtures secretary Millicent Busolo daughter to former national football team coach James Siang’a ended Kenya’s 15 year drought for a regional title last won by Kenya Posts and Telecommunications popularly known as Waka Waka.
MOICT who were placed third in the last World Club championships held in South Africa were tying 20-20 with their Ugandan rivals at the breather.
MOICT who have won the national league title three times in a row have never progressed past the semi finals since they started participating in the regional championships three years ago where they have always been eliminated by NIC.
In the semi finals, MOICT blanked Uganda Prisons 38-34 a NIC breezed past Tanzania’s Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa-Msambweni 35-15 to have a date in the finals.
MOICT were placed in group ‘B’ against Tanzania’s Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa-Msambweni, Uganda’s Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) together Zanzibari clubs Mafunzo and military side KVZ.
The Kenyan side emerged at the top of pool ‘B’ with eight points by pipping KCCA 37-35, then beat JKT-Msambweni 42-35 before handing Mafunzo 37-32 defeat and eventually overwhelming KVZ 46-36.
The team comprised of Caroline Achieng Linah Tarus, Mar Omalla, Caroline Achieng’ (shooters), vice captain Parin Simiyu, Volnate Wanyama, Bridgit Nanzala and Jacqueline Adhiambo (defenders) together midfielders Catherine Abwao (captain), Cynthia Wanyama, Benta Aoko and veteran Joan Mating’i with the team manager Anne Bett.
Cynthia and Volnate Wanyama are sisters to Harambee Stars skipper the UK based Victor Mugubi who plays foe Barclays English Premier League (EPL) side Southampton.
The Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Dr Fred Matiangi said they are committed to supporting the team and praised the club for bringing glory to the ministry and the country.
AUTHOR : KEN NATO