Warning: if you park here, they will dunk on you

On 17/3/13, Parklands Arya Girls' School basketball team became the Nairobi County champions after defeating arch rivals Buru Buru Girls' in the final held at Upper Hill High School. Afrohoops.blogspot.com spoke to Godfrey Mwaloma, the team's coach, about the win and what's next. 

Please introduce yourself

I’m Godfrey Mwaloma, the Parklands Arya Girls’ High School basketball coach. I also teach English and French at the school.

I joined Parklands Arya Girls’ in September, 2007.

Outline a brief history of basketball at Parklands Arya Girls’

I introduced the sport in September, 2008.

The school first participated in basketball under the Nairobi Secondary Schools’ Sports Association (NSSSA) league in 2009, but we lost to Buru Buru Girls’ School in the quarters.

In 2010 and 2011, we lost in the semis to Lang’ata High School.

In 2012, we lost to Buru Buru Girls’ in the finals. But in 2013, we became Nairobi County champions after beating Buru Buru Girls’ 48-33 in the finals held on 17/3/13 at Upper Hill High School.

You must be proud of your team so far this season

Yes, I am.  During the Alliance Open on 17/2/13, we beat Buru Buru Girls’ 23-20 in the final game.

Next, during the Nairobi County Championships last weekend at Upper Hill High School, we beat Moi Nairobi Girls’  37-12 in the quarter finals; walloped State House Girls’ 64-16 in the semis, then crowned it all by beating Buru Buru Girls’ 48-33 in the finals.

The audacity of dreaming: Godfrey's main goal for the 2013 season is for his team to play at the East Africa Secondary Schools' championships. (Photo courtesy of Godfrey.)

What factors have contributed to your team’s success so far this season?

·         The girls’ hard work and discipline. They are very committed to training and they don’t miss sessions which run every evening, Monday to Friday.

·         The girls have remained focused throughout the season. They take every game seriously.

·         Mrs Emily Odhiambo, the principal, has supported the team by ensuring it has basketballs for training.

·         Jemimah Night, the captain, has greatly inspired the team. Jemimah played for the Kenyan under-19 team during the FIBA championship games in 2012 in Senegal.

·         The team’s desire to play at the 2013 East Africa Secondary Schools’ championships.

·         Playing friendlies and participating in tournaments.

What’s next?

I’m optimistic that the team will emerge champions at the metropolitan games to be held from 27 March to 30 March 2013, and get a chance to play at the nationals scheduled for April, 2013 in Thika. This will make way for the girls to realise their dreams of playing at the 2013 East Africa Secondary Schools’ championships.