Coach Edwin Eshapaya and the Kenya Methodist University hockey team christened The Hornets | PHOTO-Hillary Mukasa
By Hillary Mukasa
By one name he is known as Edwin and by two names he is popularly known as Edwin Eshapaya. His players and fans like to shorten his name to Shaps. Here in Meru County when you talk about hockey you talk about Edwin Eshapaya and when you talk about Edwin Eshapaya you talk about hockey.
It’s difficult to escape his impact on hockey. The hockey icon began as a player and his rich talent enabled him to don the National jersey when he played in South Africa in 2006 in the Under-23 category.
His star as a coach continued to shine brighter when he steered the Meru School hockey team to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSF) in Uganda in 2019. Edwin Eshapaya is currently the hockey coach of KeMU for both men’s and women’s teams.
The women’s team is christened Hornets while the men’s team is the Clippers. The passionate coach has instilled a great hockey culture and discipline in the scholars.
His stay in KeMU as the coach has been nothing less than spectacular. Both the Hornets and the Clippers participated in the 12th Eastern Africa University Games at Ndejje University in Uganda in 2022.
The hockey matches were played at Lugogo National Hockey Stadium in the week-long Championship. The team posted good results and gained a wealth of experience.
The Clippers were the Champions of the Mashariki Hockey Festivals held at Chuka University in 2022. Both the Clippers and Hornets participated in the Betty Tioni Memorial Tournament at Greensteds International School in Nakuru in 2022.
The Clippers and Hornets under the guidance of the experienced coach Eshapaya participated in the Kenya University Sports Federation (KUSF) National Championship at Kibabii University in Bungoma in 2022 and posted admirable results.
Last year the ladies’ team participated in the KUSA CENTRAL Women’s Sports Championship in DEKUT and they were the undisputed Champions. The Queens participated in the National Women’s Championship for Universities at Rongo University in March this year and finished in a respectable position in 4 out of 10 teams after reaching the semifinals.
Through the mentorship of the masterful coach Eshapaya, 3 of his players from the Hornets are currently in teaching practice and all doubling up as coaches of the game they love in their respective schools of attachment. Sensational Captain Joy Yego, Mercy Jepkemoi, and Judy Jepsergon are the players teaching practice in high schools in Rift Valley and embracing the game well.
Edwin Eshapaya works for the disciplined forces as a police officer and is a key soccer player of Meru Police which is currently playing in the Meru County League. He also captained Meru Mahakama FC and Meru Bombers that played in the FKF Division 2 League a few years ago.
