• Last year, the Nairobi-based school was pitted against Manyatta Secondary, Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial and Rwanda’s ES Kigoma in Pool 'B'.
• Kakungulu claimed the championship title, with hosts teams Adegi and ES Kigoma securing second and third place respectively
Image: HANDOUT
Hospital Hill Boys’ handball coach Emmanuel Wabule has his eyes trained on a podium finish at the upcoming East African Secondary School Games scheduled for August 17-27 in Mbale, Uganda.
Wabule said they are keen to improve on last year's fifth-place finish in the championships in Rwanda.
“This year, we are targeting a podium finish. We want to improve on our results from last year in Rwanda,” Wabule stated.
Last year, the Nairobi-based school was pitted against Manyatta Secondary, Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial and Rwanda’s ES Kigoma in Pool 'B'.
Against Kakungulu, they lost 23-31; won 33-32 against Manyatta and settled for a 22-22 draw against ES Kigoma.
They were subsequently knocked out in the preliminary rounds after finishing third in the pool with three points.
Kakungulu claimed the championship title, with hosts teams Adegi and ES Kigoma securing second and third place respectively. Mbooni placed fourth with Hospital Hill securing fifth position.
Wabule attributed Uganda's success to their experience and physicality but remained optimistic of toppling them this year.
"We learned from our defeat and we hope to apply a different ball game this year even if we're not as physical as the Ugandans," he warned.
He, however, noted that after last year’s defeat, he had gained experience and his team would be more than ready to conquer this time around.
“I have gained experience from the previous championships. We will handle the Ugandan contingent even though we are not physical,” he stated.
Identifying areas for improvement, Wabule emphasized the need to strengthen the team's defence and enhance players' concentration and work rate, especially during tough matches.
“I want to improve the team's defence. Our strength in the defence is low and the players work rate is also low. The players tend to switch off during tough matches. They don’t listen to my instructions.”
"Our attack is solid, but we need to be sharper. The pressure at the East African Games is intense and we can't afford to be casual," he noted..
Hospital Hill were dethroned by Western region’s Kimilili Boys (20-15) during the just concluded KSSSA National Term One Games in Machakos. Despite the loss, Wabule remains resolute. "Defending the national crown is tough. Every team wants to dethrone us," he acknowledged.
He, however, attributed their defeat to fatigue after a gruelling semifinal match against Mbooni Boys’ who they beat 21-20 to proceed to the final.
"The boys gave their all in our semifinal match. Unfortunately, fatigue caught up with us during the final," he admitted.
Nonetheless, Wabule commended his team's effort and emphasised that their primary focus remains on the East African games.
"Securing the runners-up spot in Machakos won't deter us. Our eyes are still set on a podium finish in Uganda," he affirmed.
He noted that training for the regional extravaganza will begin on May 4—four days after the students report back to school from holiday.