Battle for this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national Term Two games titles begin today at venues across Kisumu County.
New champions will be crowned in football Under-19, U-16 and boys volleyball after 2018 winners failed to qualify for the national games relinquishing their crowns at the lower level of competition.
Under-19 champions Kakamega High were eliminated at the county level while Kwale, who won the girls’ crown, were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player at the Coast Region games.
Under-16 holders St Anthony’s Boys Kitale and Moi Girls Nangili also fell along the way while boys’ volleyball winners Malava did not go past the Sub-County level.
Dagoretti High, St Anthony’s, Olbolsat and Shimba Hills are favourites to win this year’s crown having featured at last year’s games.
Nairobi’s Dagoretti High, christened Ditchez, will launch their quest in Group B against rookies Mbooni Boys from Eastern Region.
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The Nairobi champions will be looking to build on last year’s fourth-place finish and grab the bragging rights.
Dagoretti coach Joseph Makokha said they are seeking a good start.
“We want a good start. We are in a very tricky pool and any point dropped could prove costly at the end of the preliminary games,” Makokha said.
In another Group B match, hosts Kisumu Day will take on newcomers Ebwali from Western.
Ebwali will be out to ensure they return home the trophy won by Kakamega last year.
In group A former national champions St Anthony’s from Rift Valley will lock horns with Shimba Hills while 2018 finalists Olbolosat from Central will take on North East Champions Banisa Mixed.
In the girls’ contest, Nyakach will capitalise on home advantage when they take on Eastern’s Karugwa in their opening Group A tie.
Newcomers Dagoretti Mixed will announce their arrival on the big stage with a clash against Rift Valley’s Itigo.
In Group B, 2016 champions St John’s Kaloleni, who return to the nationals after two years in the cold, will be looking to make a perfect start against Nyanza’s Gesero while last year’s finalists Archbishop Njenga from Western will tackle Central champions Njabini.
Focus will be on the Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 boys challenge with all teams new to the competition.
Nairobi’s Dagoretti High will begin their chase against East champions Machakos Boys in Group B while homeboys Agoro Sare will entertain Boystown from North Eastern.
In Group A, Western’s Koyonzo will take on Central’s Gatamaiyu while Goseta from Rift Valley play Coast’s Serani.
Wiyeta from Rift Valley will be looking to reclaim their girls under 16 trophy.
Today, they take on Dagoretti Mixed in their opening Group A match. Nyanza’s Ugari will take on Njabini in the second match.
In Group B Nyanza’s Kobala Mixed will tackle Itaara from Eastern while Western’s Maeni will play Coast girls Waa.
