Alarm as betting craze hits handball league ties
Kenya Handball Federation (KHF) league coaches are a worried lot after the infiltration of betting that is now threatening to water down the competition.
Allegations of players placing bets for matches they are taking part in, thus pre-determining the outcome even before stepping on the court are rife.
A tactician, whose charges lost a lead which was considered insurmountable, in a weekend match lamented that the manner in which the players handled the last minutes of the game was a clear indicator they had placed bets against their own team to win the match.
“This betting menace will kill handball. It beats logic to train all week then get to the court and play half heartedly because you have a stake in your own team losing. We can only talk to the players but the federation should come up with a punishment for any player found engaging in these unethical acts,” said the tactician who sought anonymity.
Meanwhile, after three days of action from Saturday to Monday, former champions Black Mamba still top the men’s standings with eight wins after subjecting Buccaneers to their second loss in six matches. Strathmore University picked a 25-3 win against high school students Inspired Boys and are second on the log after seven matches. Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) side Ulinzi had a good weekend, winning their opener 63-16 against high school students Warriors. The side got a scare from Kenyatta University on Sunday as they won by just two goals in a 18-16 outcome.
The soldiers, however, had a better match against their counterparts Nanyuki picking their third win in a 42-24 outcome. Samuel Waiganjo was impressive for Ulinzi, scoring 15 goals while Brian Wakhuha added 12 to the final count.
Nanyuki’s Jones Nzioka and Paul Musembi scored for the losing side with nine and seven goals respectively. Varsity side Mt Kenya (MKU) beat St Pauls’ University (SPU) 34-31 for their fourth victory in eight matches.
