Namwela Secondary School volleyball coach Isaac Muresia has revealed how he has been depending on Youtube videos and Kenya Prisons head coach Josp Barasa to train his team as the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association games enter the regional level this week.
The Bungoma County school returned to the limelight in 2019, after 39 years in the cold, winning a bronze medal at the national championships and Muresia believes lessons from the various coaches will steer the team to the East Africa School Games in Arusha, Tanzania.
With Western Region hosting the championships starting this Thursday in Mumias, Kakamega County, Muresia is optimistic that his side will triumph and reach the national level.
“I have been training these students using Youtube clips from Olympic Games targeting reception, service and other tactics and that has paid off. I also have great friends like Prisons coach Barasa (Josp) who has also chipped in with crucial insight on how to train at the top level,” said Muresia.
Namwela defeated Khasoko Boys 3-0 (25-11, 25-12 and 25-8) during the Bungoma County final to qualify for the regional games, where they are in Pool 'A' alongside Vihiga Boys, Sigalame and Indangalasia from Kakamega County.
Indangalasia were 3-1 winners over Malava in 26-24, 15-25, 23-25 and 25-27 where all finalists made it to the regional show in a four-county championship that included Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and hosts Kakamega.
“We finished third in 2019 at the national but this time we want to grace the East Africa games since we have had good training and preparations. I requested the school management that I be given good time for training, starting from 2pm, since it usually rains heavily in the evening — which could hinder our program,” he said.
He added that the training for the boys has been going on in the school even during the height of the campaign and electoral process.
“Being a boarding school and the fact that it was not being used as a polling centre, we had to continue with our training. That gave us an upper hand against our rivals,” he said, adding that some of the players are on sports scholarships.