KIB Interbank Games: Equity Bank Are Handball Champions

NAIROBI, Kenya- Equity Bank are the 2022 Kenya Institute of Bankers Interbank Sports men and women’s handball champions.

Both outfits triumphed with maximum points in their categories to lift the coveted titles.

Equity men smashed all their eight rivals in the round- robin encounter to finish at the top with 16 points while their women counterparts cruised over all the five opponents to win the trophy with ten points.

On their way to glory, Equity men beat Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) 18-16, Co-Op Bank 14-8, defending champions KCB Bank 17-11, Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) 15-0, Stanbic  16-8, NCBA Bank 21-6, Absa 20-12 and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) 13-2.

Likewise, their female colleagues thrashed Absa 9-1, CBK 14-3, Co-Op Bank 11-4, KCB Bank 12-3 and NCBA 14-0.

The men, coached by Joseph Okemwa are winning the trophy for the first time while the women, trained by Jacqueline Tabbya, successfully defended their cup for the third time in a row.

“We feel very proud, we have taken our bank to greater heights with these victories, we hope to spread this winning spirit to other disciplines in the games,” men’s captain Peter Mbuthia told Standard Sports.

“Winning the men’s tournament means a lot to me and my squad, we have been waiting for this moment since 2018,” Mbuthia underlined.

Since the men’s cup was introduced four years ago, Co-Op Bank and immediate former champions KCB Bank were the previous title holders.

“We prepared both physically and mentally for the tournament, we were always very early in the pitch for training, we ensured we had all it takes to lift the trophy before we proceeded for the tournament,” said Mbuthia who previously coached the women’s side before he resumed playing for men’s team this season.

According to the skipper, the secret to the men’s victory was team work and passion which he said was cultivated into the squad through focus and discipline.

“Previously, our handball players were also taking part in other sports disciplines during the games, but this season we ensured they only concentrated on handball alone, this definitely strengthened our bonding,” he highlighted.

In the last edition of the games, Equity men ranked eighth out of the nine teams, a discouraging performance which Mbuthia said was brought about by lack of focus.

Mbuthia’s message to anyone interested in handball is that they should first develop the passion, then they should train hard to win easily.

QUOTE

“At Equity Bank, we lead while others follow, we not only do well in the financial sector but also in social zones including sports.” Equity Bank men’s handball captain Peter Mbuthia.

UTILITIES

KIB handball men final ranking

1. Equity Bank                     16 points

2. Co-Op Bank                    12

2. KCB Bank                         12

4. Absa                                10

5. CBK                                 8

6. Stanbic                            6

7. DTB                                 3

8. SCB                                 2

9. NCBA                              1

KIB handball women final ranking

1. Equity Bank                    10

2. Co-Op Bank                   8

3. Absa                               4

4. CBK                                3

4. KCB                                3

6. NCBA                             0