This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
On March 24, 2020, Kenya Handball National team and Ulinzi right back Alexina Ambani trains indoors at her residence in Nairobi, following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
Ambani's name may not be as well-known as her brothers Fred and Boniface, who left an indelible mark in Kenya's football history. However, she has carved her own path in handball, with a passion that has driven her for over two decades.
As a senior sergeant in the Kenya Defence Forces, Ambani has seen it all in her 21 years of active play. She has dedicated herself to handball, saying she 'eats, drinks and sleeps handball.' Her teammates and coaches have come to respect her for her actions and words.
Despite not being the most vocal person in the squad, Ambani is one of the most revered players in the Kenya national women's handball team. She has a simple yet profound philosophy: 'My whole life has been great because of handball. Nothing gives me more joy than being able to play this beautiful sport.'
Ambani's journey in handball began at Lirhembe Girls High School in Kakamega, where she fell in love with the sport in 1998. She switched from volleyball to handball the following year, attracted by the team's success in national games. After completing her Form Four exams, she joined Ulinzi Warriors in 2000.
She made her national senior team debut in 2002, playing as a right winger in a thrilling win against Tanzania at Kasarani. Locally, she has been a key figure for the Ulinzi Warriors team in the national league, with a goal to win the Kenya Handball Federation National Premier League title, a title that has eluded her for years.
"I want to wrest the league title from Nairobi Water before I retire. It's the only team that is always ahead of us," she said. "Nothing beats the feeling of being crowned league's champions. Despite the fact that I have numerous individual awards, my sole goal is to help Ulinzi win the local league title," she added.
