100 Schools Sign Up After Kfaf Flag Football Showcase

Two schools stepped onto the main field at Thika High School and delivered a demonstration that left the crowd buzzing. By the end of the day, 71 Schools from all 8 regions had registered. Referrals pushed that number to 100. The wave is here and flag football is unstoppable.

Click on the link to register your school=====>> Flag Football for schools

THE SCENE AT THIKA  HIGH

Before a Ball Was Even Snapped, the Crowd Was Already Hooked.

Before the first whistle, before the first play, the two schools were already doing something remarkable. Farasi Lane Primary School and Green Edgewood Academy ran through their warm-up drills on the main field at Thika High School — and without any announcement, a crowd began to form. Curious learners pressed closer. Teachers leaned in. Parents circled around the two squads, watching quietly, trying to figure out exactly what they were about to witness.

Then the game started. And nobody went anywhere.

The pop of a flag being pulled from a belt. The spin moves. The dips and ducks to shake a defender. Young athletes moving with confidence and skill on one of Kenya’s most prestigious school sports stages. The crowd that had gathered out of curiosity stayed out of genuine excitement. By the time the demonstrations were in full flow, the atmosphere at Thika High School had completely changed. Flag football had walked in as a newcomer and taken over the room.

Michael Paranadol, a towering figure blessed with blistering pace, was the talk of the town as he sliced through the Green Edgewood defense like a hot knife through butter. His touchdown delivered the game's opening points, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Michael Paranadol in action during U15 boys

THE PRESIDENT OPENS THE DAY 

“Today is the moment these young learners next to us will showcase why schools should embrace this Olympic sport. I take the opportunity to thank the Ministry of Education and KPJSSA officials, led by President Mr. Mamai Etiang. This game ball we are presenting to the office indicates our commitment to the sport and Ministry guidelines — to continue to consult and work with you, and to serve as a reminder of our journey together.”

— George Alwanga, President, KFAF

KFAF President George Alwanga presents a Game ball to Madam Monica Obonyo(MOE-KPJSSA Executive)

The ceremonial handover of the game ball to Madam Monica captured the spirit of the day perfectly — a federation presenting a symbol of its commitment to a Ministry that had opened a door. Months of quiet, determined work between KFAF and the Directorate of Field Coordination had led to this moment, and the President marked it with the gravity it deserved.

— THE DEMONSTRATION —

U13 Mixed Gender and U15 Boys & Girls — All on the Same Stage.

Both schools demonstrated across two categories — the U13 Co-ed (mixed gender) format where boys and girls compete together, and the U15 category where boys and girls play separately. The contrast in categories was itself a statement: flag football is not a sport that closes the door on anyone. Every learner, regardless of gender or size, has a place on the field.

Click on the link to register your school=====>> Flag football for Schools

The U13 mixed game drew the loudest reaction from the crowd. Watching boys and girls compete as equals, making plays, pulling flags, running routes together, was clearly something many in attendance had never seen before. It was new. It was competitive. And it was completely compelling.

Owen from Green Edgewood dips to avoid as Faith from Farasi lane who was locked in to de-flag(Tackle) during the U13 match up. 

THE RESULTS 

Farasi Lane Crowned the Inaugural KPJSSA Flag Football Champions.

When the demonstrations became competitions, the stakes rose  and the schools rose with them. Three categories were contested, and the results were as tight and absorbing as anything the crowd could have hoped for.

Official Results — Inaugural KPJSSA Flag Football Showcase:

Farasi Lane’s overall championship is a moment that will be remembered well beyond Thika. They are the inaugural KPJSSA Flag Football Champions, the first school ever to hold that title. The team is coached on a part-time basis by KFAF President George Alwanga, supported by Mr. Nelson Kipkorir and Madam Christine Katunge, who run the day-to-day training programme. Their work produced champions on the biggest school sports stage in the country.

KFAF President George Alwanga(White T-shirt) joined Leaners and Staff from Farasi lane for a championship Picture.

FROM THE CHAMPION’S COACH 

“I want to thank KPJSSA officials for the showcase opportunity granted to us and KFAF for bringing the sport to our school. We have been playing since last year and to be here today is a huge milestone. We emerged the champions and I want to urge schools to take on the sport and make it bigger next year.”

— Christine Katunge, Coach, Farasi Lane Primary School

THE MINISTRY RESPONDS 

“Congratulations to KFAF for conducting a successful demonstration. As a Ministry, we are here to promote youths. Sports that are inclusive and safe for our learners are well embraced as our mandate is to promote inclusivity and diversity through co-curriculars. Once we receive the report regarding flag football from the demonstration, we will review at the Ministry level  and communicate the way forward.”

— Mr. Nelson Sifuna, Education Secretatry  Directorate of  Field Coordination & Co-Curricular Activities, Ministry of Education

Those are not ceremonial words. Mr. Sifuna’s statement, that the Ministry will review the feedback and communicate the way forward, is the clearest signal yet that flag football’s formal inclusion in Kenya’s school co-curricular programme is a genuine possibility. KFAF will be ready when that conversation begins.

Madam Monica Obonyo- Executive KJPSSA awards Green Edgeewood 2nd place trophy.

 100 SCHOOLS AND COUNTING

The Biggest Registration Response Ever Recorded at a National Showcase.

As soon as it was announced that teachers could register their schools, the response was immediate. By the end of the day, 71 teachers from all eight regions of Kenya had signed up on-site — described by those present as the biggest single-day registration response ever recorded following a demonstration of a new sport at the nationals.

It did not stop there. Word spread. Teachers who had missed the day sent referrals. By the time the numbers were confirmed, the total had reached 100 schools across Kenya — representing every region of the country. One showcase. One day. One hundred schools wanting in. 

Registration of schools is still open click here: Flag Football for schools

Registration Snapshot:

WHAT COMES NEXT

One hundred schools changes the landscape entirely. KFAF now has a mandate and a responsibility  to build the regional competition structure that these schools are signing up to participate in. Plans are already in place for a proper inter-school competition framework in 2027, backed by the Ministry of Education. The numbers now justify a nationalwide tournament culminating to the Nationals. Our work continues.

Flag football did not ask for a slow introduction into Kenyan schools. It walked onto the Thika High School main field, put on a show, and 100 schools said yes before the day was out. The wave is here. KFAF is ready to surf it.

KFAF Executive, Coaches and Referees and Volunteers that helped plan and deliver the Showcase. 

We Showed Up. Now the Buzz Is On. 🏈🇰🇪

#KFAF |  #FlagFootballKE  | #Term2Nationals  |  #100Schools |  #OlympicSport  | #LA2028