Inter Counties Games: Four counties express interest to host 7th edition

INTER COUNTIES GAMES Prime Minister Raila Odinga prepares to kick the ball ahead of the football final between Machakos and Bungoma counties at the Gusii Stadium. The 6th edition of KICOSCA games ended on Saturday. [Standard Sports]

Kisii raises bar high

Counties ranked as memorable games end with call by former PM Raila for more investment.

As the curtain fell on the 6th edition of Kenya Inter-County and Sports Association (KICOSCA) games in Kisii County, leaders heaped praise on host Governor James Ongwae for the best organised event.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was the chief guest during the closing ceremony commended the Kisii County Government for upgrading the Gusii Stadium.

He said the work done at the stadium was commendable and challenged counties to invest more in nurturing talent at a young age to ensure sport is not treated in pedestrian manner.

32 counties, Senate, Lapfund and the Ministry of Devolution participated in the week-long event staged at the Gusii Stadium and 11 other venues in Kisii Town.

KICOSCA National Governing Council Secretary General Muraya Kabiri described the 6th edition of the games as the best organised.

“Since KICOSCA began, this is the best organised edition thanks to the personal involvement of the governor and teamwork from all county government departments from improving infrastructure, publicity and facilities. In other counties, the task is left for sports departments which doesn’t help. I urge other governors to come to Kisii and learn from them,” said Kabiri.

He said four counties (Bungoma, Kericho, Nyeri and Meru) had already expressed interest in hosting next year’s KICOSCA games, but a decision is yet to be made.

West Pokot Dancers West Pokot Cultural dancers entertain guest during the closing ceremony of the week long Inter-County games at Gusii stadium. The dancers won The Cultural Dance category.(photo Sammy Omingo/standard)

On his part, Governor Ongwae said he was proud to have successfully hosted exciting, refreshing and entertaining sports and cultural extravaganza in Kisii County.

“I wish to thank the participating teams for demonstrating a high level of sportsmanship and professionalism during the games. Please carry with you the lessons of leadership, good health, teamwork, fair play, self-reliance and continuous improvement that sport has taught us,” Ongwae said.

Nairobi County swept most trophies to be ranked first followed by Uasin Gishu in second position and hosts Kisii County in third position. Nairobi bagged top honours in Chess, Table Tennis, Ajua, Squash, Cultural Dance, Darts, Basket ball women, Tug of War, Badminton and Netball.

Kisii County edged Nairobi and Bungoma Counties in a set piece performance dubbed ‘ugatuzi’ extolling the value of devolution.

FINAL RESULTS

Discipline     Winner          Second           Third

Draughts:       Mombasa,       Embu,             Kilifi  

Choir (Set Piece): Kisii,         Nairobi,          Bungoma

Folk Song:      West Pokot,    Narok,             Meru

Chess:                         Nairobi,                      Siaya               Kiambu

Scrabble:        Busia,              Siaya,              Kisii

Table Tennis:             Nairobi,          Kiambu, Kisii

Ajua:               Nairobi,                      Busia,  Uasin Gishu

Squash:           Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri

Cultural dance (own): West pokot, Kisii, Meru

Cultural dance (borrowed): Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii

Volleyball (men): Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Kiambu

Volleyball (women): Uasin Gishu, Nairobi, Bungoma

Darts: Nairobi, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia

Basketball (Men): Kiambu, Nakuru, Bungoma

Basketball (women): Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Machakos

Tug of war (men): Nairobi, Laikipia, Nakuru

Tug of war (women): Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisii

Badminton: Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu

Netball: Nairobi, Bungoma, Ministry of Devolution

Football (men): Machakos, Kakamega, Kisii

Pool: West Pokot, Bomet, Nairobi

Athletics: Uasin Gishu, Narok, Nairobi

 

Overall winners: Nairobi, Uasin Gishu, Kisii