Kisumu Youngstars Hockey Club players stretch during a training session at Kisumu Day grounds in Kisumu.
When Kisumu-based team, ‘Kisumu Youngstars’ secured promotion to the Kenya Hockey Union Premier League, it felt like arriving in Canaan for the team captain, Bramuel Opembe.
Opembe began playing hockey in 2007 at Vihiga Boys High School, where he discovered the sport as a student. He joined Kisumu Youngstars in 2011, the same year he completed his secondary school education.
It was the beginning of a long and defining association with the club. Over the years, he has grown from a young recruit into one of the team’s most experienced players.
In 2017, the club entrusted him with the captain’s armband, a position he holds to date.
Opembe attributes the club’s rise to the top league to years of persistence. For a long time, Kisumu Youngstars operated with limited resources, relying largely on commitment and teamwork rather than financial backing.
Kisumu Youngstars team captain, Bramuel Opembe.
Much of the team’s development took place at Kisumu Day High School, where players trained regularly and built a strong bond. During the early years, the club had a large pool of players based in Kisumu, allowing them to train consistently.
However, the situation changed as many members moved away after completing college to pursue employment opportunities.
The departures occasionally left gaps in the squad forcing the remaining players to take on additional responsibilities.
Despite these challenges, the club gradually improved its organisation and leadership structure.
“Because we were in the Super League, we were somewhat comfortable because the competition wasn’t quite high,” he said.
Kisumu Youngstars Hockey Club players stretch during a training session at Kisumu Day grounds in Kisumu.
One of the key changes in recent years has been the appointment of a dedicated head coach.
Previously, the team relied on volunteers to handle training sessions, but the arrival of coach John Shivisi saw a more structured approach to preparations.
Shivisi introduced disciplined training programmes and tactical organisation that helped the team become more competitive.
The impact was evident during the recently concluded season, when Kisumu Youngstars won the Super League title and secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.
For many of the players, the success was the result of years of sacrifice, as most have continued to play without financial incentives.
On the pitch, Opembe is primarily a defender, but frequently shifts to midfield or attack to cover gaps left by unavailable teammates. His versatility proved valuable, and he finished the campaign with eight goals, just two fewer than the team’s leading scorer Daniel Lopikasha Lolkalepi.
Kisumu Youngstars players rest during a training session in Kisumu.
Away from hockey, Opembe balances sport with a business he runs in addition to serving as the regional coordinator for Times Switch Courier, overseeing last-mile delivery operations across Western and Nyanza.
Despite his busy schedule, he maintains a disciplined routine that allows him to combine work and sport.
He reckons playing in the Premier League will challenge the team to raise their standards.
He acknowledges that the lack of a sponsor may see them struggle to fund their activities.
He says the team will rely heavily on supporters and well-wishers in the new season and he can’t wait for the Premier League action to begin.
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