American Football In The 10th East African University Games
The stage was set, expectations raised and the highly charged men in shoulder pads and helmets delivered extremely well to quench the curiosity the thousands of spectators and by standers in the just ended East Africa university games. The 10th editions of the games were held in Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and technology 16-17 December 2016. The sport is said to be the most spectated as it’s the first time a demonstration of this kind to be conducted is such a high competition. Both local and international Media houses were on high alert to witness the course of sports History written.
Robinson Okinyi(KTN) was live with Brian Nakitare (JKUAT sparrows), LEE Gullu (UMOJACHIEFS) and Teddy kinyua(Mighty Nyati)
This stretches back to 5 months of preparation; KFAF president had request for a demonstration of the sport in the games from the organizing committee. His efforts were backed up by the fact that the host University had an existing team. “This has given the students to showcase the beauty of the sport to those who haven’t had a chance to see/ watch it up close. We believe with such platforms we can spark interest from other universities to accommodate the sport in their disciplines”. Said Mr. Alwanga. “would like to see the sport as competitive as other sports here in Kenya and East African at large.” He added
Demonstration was conducted by the three teams that have been training jointly every Saturday on rotational basis with University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta and Umojachiefs grounds being the hub of the high contact sport. this was coordinated by head coach Dan Eck
Students fro other Universities pose with Kenyan stars
More than 35 universities took part in the tournament as 18 disciplines offered opportunity to competitors. Uganda Makerere University had a American football team but it said to have collapsed due to the technicality and complexity of the sport,unfortunately same cases unfolded in Tanzania (Dar University)and Rwanda(Kigali institute of Science and Technology). Otherwise this would be a competitive sport in the 10th edition of East Africa Games.
“We haven’t had a competitive game this year as we were building and selecting a National team, this are purely graduates or students in Kenya universities.” said Teddy Ondiekassistant coach National team, and the Defensive coordinator. He also added “we have maximized on this opportunity to show case the game and more is to follow as we plan to host a team from Jordan for our first international game.”
Ass. Coach National team and defensive coordinator
A senior player form Jkuat Sparrows Mark Omodi former captain, and feared Running backhelped to coordinate the event . “ I have never been this hyped about an event, this got my adrenaline running and all I wanted was to see myself in full gear running the ball before thousands of spectators.” You should see his enthusiasm while saying this to the cameras.
mark omondi before the game
Fresh talks might have emerged to revive the mentioned institutions in East Africa to develop teams as they already have equipment and facilities they only need technical staff (coaches). Makerere university was quick to reach out to KFAF president after the demonstration of the sport in JKUAT. Kenya Federation of American football will help to build up a plan for that purpose.
The American football team is in preparation to host a foreign team into the country from Jordan for an international friendly. The team is expected in March and this will be the first team for international competition.
2016 has been been our year of growth, we look forward to 2017 for much more better growth and development of the sport.
Section of the teams
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Chiefs In Charge
The long awaited game dubbed ‘battle of supremacy’ finally came to pass with Umojachiefs stamping Grand warriors to secure a win away. Chiefs have now won against the two juja teams and are holding on the victory mantle. the young team also basks in the glory of a huge fan base from the community as their home games are highly attended.
Umoja chiefs are leading the standing so far with 2 wins and 1 loss. This community-based team was founded by George Alwanga and Suleiman Shaban 2 years ago are now the league favorites from the style of play. The young men have bigger ambitions and goals in this game. ‘we play Big with our heads High, we not only here to compete but enjoy the game‘ said the captain Umojachiefs.
The 3 other teams are, however, enjoying massive support and facilities from respective institutions(the University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University) and quality coaching from Teddy and Edwin Osuma respectively.
The league Kenya 8-Men American football league was established to promote the sport in Kenya and also an opportunity for the athletes to showcase their skills as they learn more about the sport.
The first league ends on 22nd of July, where Mighty Nyati(University of Nairobi) will host JKUAT Sparrows. Nyati will have a chance to go second on the league standing while winless Sparrows scavaging for a win to stay above deep waters.
The league takes a break after the showdown at the University Of Nairobi and, it will resume towards the end of August. During the break joint training camps will be held, coaching clinics and public demonstrations.
in an effort to create awareness of the sport and, recruit more players to join the teams. United States International University(USIU) already are recruiting players for an 8-man tackle team while Kenyatta University has invited teams for demonstration.
Just like the rising sun conquers over the mountains, American football in Kenya has a clear vision and goals of the same heights.
Top performers in the League.
Brian Nakitare-RB(Grand warriors)
Denver Cockey-safety(Sparrows).
lee Gullu- WR(UMOJA chiefs)
EDWIN Osuma-QB(Mighty Nyati)
Top rookies
SANCHEZ (RB UMOJACHIEFS)
8-man tackle team, Umojachiefs
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Campo Olympics
kenyanfl
“Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while, you don’t do things right once in a while; you have to do them right all the time. Today is not about the past and it’s not about the future. It’s about right now. And you guys have got to want this feeling to last forever. You tell everyone or anyone that has ever doubted, thought they did not measure up or wanted to quit, you tell them to look up, get up and don’t ever give up. “Indeed words of wisdom; from one of the greatest people that has played a big part in the JKUAT SPARROWS TEAM.
A few months ago we have witnessed the transformation of the JKUAT sparrows into a hungry team that has proven to be committed and more than once it has displayed amazing performances on several accounts pinning down their biggest rivals University Of Nairobi (THE MIGHTY NYATI).
SPARROWS COACH has played a big part on the SPAROWS team, He has given the young boys a chance to be better at what they do, a chance to prove and believe in themselves and that chance was by playing good FOOTBALL.
THE Saturday of November 7th 2015 witnessed the JKUAT SPARROWS claim the only victory which left no regret to those that had been gained over ignorance at the Nyayo National stadium. The battle took its normal curve as soon as the whistle was blown with the JKUAT sparrows commanding the game with successive runs from their running backs Mark omondi okello and Brian Nakitare.
MIGHTY NYATI were finally punished with a single touchdown when Mark Omondi dashed 8 yards past the Nyati safeties to put the JKUAT SPARROWS 6-0 AHEAD.
The rest of the game saw the MIGHTY NYATI gain possession with a series of runs and throws from their QB TONY OKELLO but jkuat sparrows once again produced a classical defensive combat to deny their opponents even a single touchdown, a habit that has witnessed even the coach himself [jkuat], say ‘our default has always been defense because we always do it better. “Today we played well, big games and a series of yards gained, we were just unlucky to fail to score when we had a chance. general am impressed with my team and this is the first time am not bitter with the loss. will get them some day, and they will pay heavily.” said tony NYATI quarterback
Lastly all thanks to the the NEW KISS100 fm team that made it happen in collaboration with fresh chewing gum and all the winning teams that produced amazing performances.
REMEMBER HARDWORK BEATS TALENT WHEN TALENT STOPS WORKING, BUT WHEN TALENT WORKS HARDER, IT’S OVER.
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