National Beach Games: Watamu, MTG United crowned soccer champions

Watamu FC were crowned beach soccer champions after thumping Likoni 4-0 in a pulsating final played at Buntuwani Waterfront Park, Malindi on Sunday.

MTG United edged Mombasa Olympic 2-1 to take top honours in the women’s category as curtains fell on the National Beach Games.

Lucky Murabu hit a quick brace to hand Watamu early control of the match before Answar Shamon’s superb volley on the stroke of half time made it 3-0.

It turned into a procession from that point on with Hudheifa Mchula adding the cherry on the cake for 4-0.

Rita Mwanaisha Jilani of MTG United rose on the big occasion as she scored a brace to help her side claim victory in a coastal derby final.

MTG Head Coach Fathime Khamis hailed her team's performance after only conceading one goal during the entire tournament."It was not easy, but I am happy we managed to win. We had good preparations for this tournament,The performance too was top,we have only conceded one goal, we were solid." Said Fathime.

Elsewhere in men's beach volleyball final, Kenya Prisons emerged the overall winners following their 2-0 win( 19-21,19-21) over Mombasa Prisons with Charles Bosire (Kenya Prisons) winning the best player award.

In the ladies category, Mombasa Queens were crowned champions after edging out Pwani University in the final.

Kenyan John Paul Makona recorded 37mins and 42 seconds to win Elite men's Aquathlon race with Joseph Okal taking a runners up medal on 38mins and 16 seconds.

In the ladies category, Aisha Nasser beat Vivian Hiller on 45 minutes and 38 seconds against 50 minutes and 29 seconds.

In the men's beach basketball,Equity A proved to be too strong to Equity B with their 2-0 win(21-13,23-21) handing them the winners medal.

It was Malindi Queens in the women's category who took top spot,thanks to a 2-0 win(21-17,21-17) over Dolphin Queens.

Sande Sinzole won the men's boxing championships after beating Joseph Mogera in a tense final staged on the shores of Buntuwani beach.

Pwani Wolves were the better side as they won comfortably against a highly spirited Mombasa Saints in the Men's beach Handball whereas Coast Queens emerged the winners in the ladies category after defeating Glorious Queens on a sunny afternoon.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, NOC-K President Paul Tergat said they had a successful tournament with all eyes now set for the Africa Beach games later this year in Tunis,Tunisia.

"We really did not expect such a huge turnout, we thank the people of Malindi for their massive support and showing us great hospitality. We hope to be back again here in future." Said Tergat.

His words were echoed by Kilifi's Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa Chibule, on her closing ceremony remarks,Chibule said the tournament promoted domestic tourism with more than 1000 guests flocking in Malindi town.

“Kilifi and coast at large has once again proved that we can host big national events. Our athletes have enjoyed their stay here and we hope the NOC-K committee have the best team to represent us in the African games,” she said.

NOC-K hope to have the selected players in a camp before May as they prepare for the African games later this year.