Nairobi hood clubs Paradiso from Marurui and Kasarani’s City Panthers kicked off their first leg of the national Kabaddi league on Saturday on a high note, scoring important points ahead of the four-legged weekend league. 

City Panthers, who beat Prisons Kabaddi Club 45-31 in game one, had their coach Owen Mucheru over the moon as he emphasised that his target is to win all four legs and be declared champions. 

“I am glad that finally an estate team like ours has beaten a well-organised institution like Prisons Kenya. It’s a huge statement and motivation to my boys as we go back to training this week, ready for next weekend,” said an elated Mucheru. 

Seasoned champions Kenya Police Service (KPS) had to work hard in extra time and beat rookies National Youth Service (NYS) in the last quarter by five points, finishing the game at 56-51, a tense morning that saw veteran coach Amos Kagiri shivering with anxiety. 

Amos Macharia’s Paradiso caused an upset against the Administration Police Service (APS) in game three when they outscored them 33-21, a show of dominance from the estate boys, yet another proof that the boys from Nairobi County have mastered Kabaddi and taken to it like fish to worms on a bait. 

The only ladies’ match of the day pitted bitter rivals KPS against NYS, a mouth-watering clash for the fans, a tense affair for the players, and a jaw-dropping contest for the coaches, which saw KPS emerge victorious in the last quarter, winning 40-29. 

Kenya Kabaddi Sports Federation (KKSF)’s competitions manager, Perpetual Muthoni Mbutu, praised the teams for a job well done and encouraged the athletes to work even harder to be ready for the national team selection for the upcoming Beach Kabaddi Games in Malaysia. 

“We have a month to select these players and get them ready for Malaysia at the end of August this year. Their intensity and fitness levels are okay; the slots are now up for grabs, and everyone has to prove his or her worth to be included in the national team,” she insisted.