Against all odds, a little-known school in Narok South has risen from obscurity to become a force in high school basketball, defying resource constraints and fierce competition. Enkare Ngiro Secondary School, once overlooked in the sporting arena, has captured national attention with its remarkable journey – driven by sheer determination, resilience and the unwavering leadership of its principal-turned-coach, Seela Kuluo.

Enkare Ngiro Secondary School is Nestled in the quiet and dusty town of Ewaso Nyiro in Narok South Sub-county and has long been overshadowed by larger institutions with well-established sports programs.

With a limited number of students and scarce resources, the basketball team often struggled to compete with bigger schools boasting elite training facilities and highly recruited players. Despite these challenges, the team never lost sight of its dream.

Their journey began in 2024 during the secondary school games, with modest expectations.

The school’s Principal Seela Kuluo – who also doubled as the head coach – introduced the game last year. The team participated in the basketball 3×3 tournament, winning the sub-county title but narrowly losing to Kilgoris Boys High School in the next round.

This year, in the basketball 5×5 tournament, history repeated itself when they again lost by a single basket to the same school.

Kuluo is a trained basketball coach and referee who is focused on sharpening the players’ fundamentals, fostering teamwork, and cultivating a winning mentality.

“We instilled a philosophy that emphasised grit, discipline, and believing in the impossible. This mindset helped the team gain confidence and momentum,” she said.

She added that most of the players come from poor backgrounds and often struggle to pay school fees. She has made it her mission to ensure they remain in school to study and play.

“If we allow such talented players to drop out, it would be a big blow; not just to basketball, but to their future. They have also been excelling in academics because education and co-curricular activities go hand in hand,” she remarked.

Demonstrating her unwavering commitment to the game, Seela has been organising a series of friendlies with universities and clubs to expose the team to higher levels of competition, which has become the cornerstone of their success.

Enkare Ngiro hails from a region in Narok more famous for producing world-class athletes like David Rudisha and Billy Konchellah, making their rise in basketball even more remarkable.

The team entered every championship labelled as underdogs.

The competition was fierce, and each game presented a new challenge. However, they refused to be intimidated. They stunned their opponents with an aggressive defence, a fast-paced offence, and an unbreakable spirit.

Despite facing heavily favoured opponents, the team played with heart and determination.

“In most matches, the crowd watched in awe as we executed flawless plays, fought for every rebound, and displayed an unshakable will to win. Even when playing against home teams with overwhelming fan support, we secured victories, sending shockwaves through the high school basketball community,” said Seela.

Their success has become a testament to the power of perseverance. The team’s journey has proven that passion and dedication can overcome any obstacle, regardless of a school’s size or available resources.

“We are no longer just a small school; we have become a beacon of hope for every underdog dreaming of achieving greatness,” Seela proudly stated.

Following their success in basketball, an international footballer based in California has pledged to sponsor the construction of a standard basketball court at the school.

“By doing so, in the future, we will be able to exchange talent with top schools from other regions and nurture more young athletes,” Seela added.

Seela has been in the teaching fraternity for over 20 years, is no stranger to success. She was the mastermind behind Narok Boys High School’s hockey team, leading them to the East Africa Games in Tanzania in 2014, where they won a bronze medal.

With her leadership and the team’s unwavering spirit, Enkare Ngiro’s basketball journey is just beginning. Their story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes that with dedication, discipline, and the right guidance, success is always within reach.