St Austin's Matuu Day School celebrate with the trophy after lifting the Eastern region title/HANDOUT
Twenty teams will converge at the Machakos University Grounds this Saturday and Sunday for the fourth edition of the Machakos Mega handball tournament.
Tournament coordinator Brian Were said the competition has attracted teams in both the junior and senior categories, with participating teams required to pay a registration fee of Sh3,000. Were revealed that the junior category has been introduced in the tournament’s history in a bid to identify, nurture and expose emerging talent.
“We introduced a junior category to identify, nurture and expose talent. I’m impressed by the interest from junior teams,” said Were. Defending champions Daystar University (women’s category) and East Park Handball Club (men’s category) are among the teams registered for this year’s edition.
Other participating sides include Kahawa Barracks Handball Club, Legends HC, Assassins HC, Password HC and Legend Queens. Legend Queens will be aiming to reclaim the title they won in 2024. Eastern Region secondary schools boys’ handball champions St Austin’s Matuu Day headline the junior category and are set to renew rivalries with Matiliku Boys and Machakos Boys Senior School.
Matuu Day School, who are the national secondary schools bronze medalists, will use the tournament as part of preparations for the upcoming Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association Games scheduled for next month in Morogoro, Tanzania.
The school is targeting a memorable debut at the regional games set for August 12 to 23. In the girls’ category, Nairobi-based Mbagathi Girls High School are considered a favourite but are expected to face stiff competition from Mulala Girls.
Other teams that have registered include Machakos Academy, Dr Charles Academy and Tala Junior School. “This year’s tournament promises to be bigger and better. It will feature thrilling matches and unforgettable moments for players and fans,” said Were. The Coca-Cola Company, Shalom Hospital and Club Moments Machakos will sponsor the event.
