From books to the net: Mungao’s remarkable rise to the Net Kings

BY NEWSFLASH REPORTER

When Eugine Mungao first walked onto a netball court, he had trained for just two weeks.

Nervous and inexperienced, he was stepping into a world he had never imagined would become part of his life.

Mungao had always been known more for academics than athletics. In high school, he preferred his books to sporting activities and never regarded himself as an athlete.

Yet, at 21, the fourth-year Criminology and Criminal Justice student at Kaimosi Friends University is now the youngest member of Kenya’s men’s national netball team, the Net Kings.

His journey into the sport began through a friend, Arthur Juma, who encouraged him to try netball. What began as an introduction quickly developed into genuine passion.

“I started enjoying the game. Training bit by bit, that is how I loved the game,” recalls Mungao.

From the classroom to the court

His first taste of competitive netball came while at university. Despite having only two weeks of training, he represented his institution at the Western Kenya Universities Sports Federation championship.

The unfamiliar environment made him anxious, but he chose to take the opportunity.

“When I entered the court, I just said, ‘Let me try and see how I can go.’”

His performance gave him confidence and convinced him that he could succeed in the sport.

By his second year, he had been selected as captain of the university team. The appointment surprised him because he was still relatively new to netball.

“I was like, why did they decide to choose me, yet I’m new to this sport? I do not know much.”

However, captaincy became an important stage in his development. Working alongside more experienced players allowed him to learn quickly while taking responsibility for guiding his teammates.

Mungao later moved into club netball, first joining GANEC Netball Club in 2024 before switching to Vihiga Kings in 2025. Under coach Margaret Namai, he refined his abilities and gained valuable exposure through Kenya Netball Federation league matches.

The transition from student to competitive athlete was not always easy. At times, stress affected his concentration and performances. He also had to adjust to the physical demands of a sport that required regular and intensive training.

“For you to do well in sports, you must train hard,” he advises.

With encouragement from colleagues, he gradually became more committed to physical conditioning, despite admitting that exercise is still not his favourite activity.

“I like some exercises a bit, but not that much,” he jokes.

Dreaming beyond the Net Kings

His dedication eventually earned him a place in the national team in 2026. Joining the Net Kings has been a significant milestone for Mungao, who is experiencing international-level netball for the first time.

“To be in the national team for the first time is a dream come true,” he says.

Instead of allowing his inexperience to overwhelm him, he has used the national camp as an opportunity to learn. Senior players have supported him, shared their knowledge and helped him improve his technique.

After weeks of training, Mungao says he has already noticed progress.

“My game has upped a little bit compared to how I came here.”

His ambition now goes beyond simply being selected. He wants to contribute meaningfully to the team and establish himself as one of the continent’s leading goal attackers.

“One of my achievements was to actually join the national team,” he observes. “But not only just joining, maybe making a difference in the team.”

His long-term dream is to become Africa’s best male goal attacker and eventually play professionally. He draws inspiration from South African player Eugene Sinxezi, whose style he admires.

“If one day I can play like him, then I’ll be good,” he says.

Balancing sport with university remains another challenge. His routine includes morning runs when his academic timetable permits, lectures during the day and afternoon training sessions that typically run from 4.00pm to 6.30pm.

He has also adopted healthier eating habits, focusing on balanced meals, fruits and plenty of water while cutting down on junk food.

His parents initially struggled to believe that their academically focused son had taken up netball. Even his national-team selection sounded unbelievable to them at first.

“At first, they thought it was a joke.”

Strong supporters

That changed when he showed them his selection letter. His parents have since become some of his strongest supporters. His father even accompanied him to the bus stop when he travelled to camp and assured him that help was only a phone call away.

As the eldest of three children, Mungao knows the importance of responsibility. His parents have always prioritised education and worried that sport might interfere with his studies. He remains determined to pursue both.

Beyond personal achievement, Mungao hopes his journey can help challenge the perception that netball is exclusively a women’s sport. He believes men’s netball in Kenya is growing, with more clubs seeking male players.

“There are a lot of clubs out there looking for individuals, especially male players,” he discloses.

His advice to young boys is simple: give the sport an opportunity.

“Netball is a good sport and actually can help you go places and help you achieve a lot.”

From an academically driven student who once avoided exercise to the youngest member of the Net Kings, Mungao’s transformation has been unexpected.

As Kenya prepares for the 2026 Africa Netball Cup and the qualification journey towards the 2027 Netball World Cup, he is ready to embrace the opportunity that began with a simple decision to step onto the court.