Kamusinga and their impressive rule over hockey

Whenever Friends School Kamusinga is mentioned two things cross the mind; their academic prowess and hockey dominance.

Located in the outskirts of Kimilili town in Bungoma County, FSK has managed to strike a delicate balance between academics and sport.

When you enter the school’s gate a big sign board is written ‘Use common sense’.

The school motto, perhaps what everyone gets inspired with once they enter the school compound.

They are the 12-time national hockey champions, three-time East African championship winners and all these have been achieved thanks to good strategy and proper planning from the school management.

Being a national school the institution is known to recruit the best performers in KCPE, and once they have joined the school the students are given the opportunity to choose the sport they love.

It happens majority of them choose hockey, but not everyone will play for the school team as explained by head coach Godfrey Muleyi.

“The passion discipline and commitment to training sessions is key for the player’s growth and delivery on the pitch.

“We also insist on them performing well in class, most of our hockey players are top in their respective classes so basically you have to be good in class for you to make it to the school team,” he said.

On visiting the school I saw a little boy aged between 8-9 years playing hockey on the sidelines of the main hockey pitch before four others joined in.

Being open to the community FSK gives privilege to kids from nearby primary schools to train with the school team and master the basics so that when they manage to be admitted in the school it’s easy to fit in the team’s philosophy.

“Admission to this school is only on merit; we don’t entertain mediocrity at all however good you are in hockey. That has been our culture for many years because we want to produce students who will make us proud both in class on the field,” he added.

Coming from a very competitive region in sports and academic, proper planning for the season is off essence. The school organizes friendly matches with very high profile teams in the Kenyan hockey league.

They also travel across the country to attend different tournament that involve their competitors all these is with the aim of perfecting their skills ready to conquer.

“Every team in the county is preparing well, turning to the tournaments that when have played there very good signs that our team is ready to deliver in 2018 because we have come out as champions.  That is a good indicator that if we keep the momentum of preparations we are destined for a great year.” He added.

As the Czech proverb says; A good neighbor increase value of your property  

This is exactly what is happening with the neighboring community at Kamusinga   who train with the team, and follow they team whenever they are playing just to cheer the brand they are proud of.

“The Kimilili community is amazing; they always come out in large number every time we host school games just to cheer us and this connection with them keeps us going.

“Some of them ride their bicycles as far as Kitale,Kakamega,Busia just to support  these great project,” Muleyi said.

Having produced amazing talent that has gone on to dominated the national team, the great relationship with the former players has been crucial when it comes to passing the torch as narrated by the coach.

“We have produced stars like, the Wanangwe brothers,(frank ,Davis)Francis Esikuri,Max Wakhungu and many more who always pass by to give the team some motivation talk .

Some even recommend our players to their respective clubs so when they finish school they get scholarships to play for the clubs “said the coach.

The coaching department has also played a crucial role in the team’s success it started with Ambassador Simon ‘Jeshi’ Nambukwesi ,Albert Mutambo,Emmanuel Sanya and now Mr Muleyi  all who have won titles with the team and have been crucial in the coaching transition.

Having  failed to qualify for the national competitions after losing to rivals Musingu high school 1-0 in the regional finals in Mumias, coach Muleyi is optimistic these will be  a successful year for the team

“What we are doing is teaching them how to handle basics and once they are good with the basics this is a team that we can get it to very high levels.

“We lost 12 senior players  who were form fours as it is know we are building a new team and that’s why I’m talking about very young players who have not had that experience to high levels,” he said.