Siaya Women Handball Team Humbles Bungoma to Retain KICOSCA Title

Photos | Directorate of Public Communication, County Government of Siaya

The team retained the trophy after a tough game that was witnessed by CECM in-charge of Health Martin K’Onyango, Director Health Ken Orwenjo and Director Public Communication Crispine Omondi.

The team is part of the 18 teams that were flagged off by County Secretary Joseph Ogutu on Monday morning to attend the 11th Edition of Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA).

The Handball Captain Pauline Owegi said they thrashed Bungoma 8-4 to win women’s handball gold in Kakamega.

Siaya put its stamp on the match after leading 5-4 in the first half. The dominance continued in the next 30 minutes as Siaya scored another 3 to keep its heavy lead intact against Bungoma.

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The Siaya’s attack converted 75% of its shots and Owegi led the team’s scoring with 4 goals.

From the start, there was nothing to separate these two teams. When Siaya would score, Bungoma would answer right back with a goal — and vice versa. It was certainly an entertaining game for neutrals but the match ended in the first half with 5-4.

Siaya paraded a water-tight defense deterring Bungoma at every move. Commenting after the match, the team’s Captain Owegi said resilience and hard work contributed to the good performance adding that this is a fruitful season for her charges.

“We had the perfect defense, the best strategy that gave us a victory in the handball match.,”

Heading into the second half of play, there was more of the same with no team pulling ahead by more than two points to create a comfortable lead. However, 3 quick goals in the last 15 minutes by Siaya’s Mary Sewe, Trizer and Adda Nangoe gave Siaya 8-4 lead to hang onto.

“The players have done well to lift the title for the second time. The first cup was lifted in last year’s KICOSCA. It has not been easy but I give credit to the team for a great fight right from the pool stage to finals,” said Owegi.

“This was a tough game and it is the Lord who strengthened us all through. We also thank Governor Orengo and all CECM’s and County secretary Josph Ogutu together with the cheering squad led by Health Executive Konyango who stood by us,” said Owegi.

“This is an experienced side and defending the tough Bungoma team to register a win against them is a major milestone for us,” concluded Owegi.

Dr K’Onyango lauded the handball coach for his achievement while also praising the entire team for their excellent performance.

Captain Handball Men Isaiah Achilla equally praised their colleagues assuring that next time they will display their skills better.

The men’s handball team’s ambitions of reaching quarters received a major blow after falling to Vihiga 22-14 in their 11th Edition of KICOSCA

The captain admitted the match was difficult contrary to their expectations .

“We as handball men, in our pooling we had 5 teams, one did not turn up and so we had 4 teams. We managed to beat 2 and was defeated by one team,” said Achila.

He, however, said with the experience gained he expects the men to perform well in the near future.

Siaya scrabble team won the 11th edition of KICOSCA competition that attracted 47 men and 30 women.

This three-day championship got underway on Tuesday and climaxed on Wednesday when teams were ranked and Siaya scrabble team of both men and women lifted the golden title.

Team Siaya was in great form to take home the glittering trophy.

The triumphant side was spurred by their most outstanding player in the Men category (Ang’awa) who won with 11 points and lost 4 games.

CECM Dr K’Onyango (in glasses) and Director Crispine Omondi (in red top) kept a close watch on team “Nyalore”.

“This was the toughest tournament I have ever played. In the previous Meru Competition, I was declared second best but this year we have been beaten by a colleague from Busia(Runners up) and overall winner was the defending champion Patrick Miriti.

“I thank team Siaya for the collective effort and we ought to work harder for the subsequent tournaments” said Ang’awa adding that George Okello was fourth best player with 10 and half wins . He lost 10 and half while Julius Odhiambo was ranked 7th though third best from Siaya.

He won 10 games and lost 5 games.

“We attribute the victory to Julius who was the most improved player. He was among top ten.”

In the previous contest Busia was a threat to Siaya but this year the tables were turned around and with the input of the Senior Ang’awa (John Ang’awa and Bob Awino) the team hopes to retain dominance.

In the women Category, Nairobi players were ranked position 1 and 2 respectively while Merceline Amuga from Siaya came third best after winning 8-and-half games and losing 3-and-half.

Caroline Omondi came fourth best 8-and-half and lost 3-and-half.

Caroline had a spread of +428 while Amuga’s was +885.

Easther Amolo came 5th best after winning 8 games and lost while Rowena Ndeda came 10th with 7 wins and 5 loses.

Read more here: https://siaya.go.ke