SCHOOLS: Kwanthanze eager for win at national stage yet again

Kwanthanze from the coast celebrate after winning the girls volleyball during the National Secondary school games at Nakuru High school two years ago. [Kipsang Joseph,Standard]

Reigning Africa and East Africa girls volleyball champions Kwanthanze Secondary School from Eastern are on an unstoppable mission to recapture their national title.

They will be out to achieve their objective at this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national Term Two games that begin on Sunday at Kisii School.

Inspired by their predecessors, who are flying the Kenyan flag at the ongoing Paris Olympics, the girls are determined to reclaim the national title they lost to Kesogon Secondary School last year.

Team coach Justine Kigwari is optimistic that his young squad will put up a spirited fight at the games.

“I have a very young and inexperienced squad, but I believe they are ready for the challenge. They have been very committed to training and I think they will be able to counter opponents,” Kigawari said.

Kwanthanze are in Group B alongside Coast, Central and Western champions Vyambani Secondary School, Mpesa Academy and Lugulu Girls respectively.

Though they face stiff competition from former national and East Africa champions Lugulu, who are returning to the nationals after four years in the cold, Kwanthanze will be looking for a perfect run in the preliminaries.

Despite losing their national gong, 2023 was a very successful year for Kwanthanze as they achieved a new milestone by winning the Africa girls schools’ title.

They also retained the East Africa trophy which earned them the Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) girls school of the year award.

Known for coming back strongly after a fall, Kwanthanze’s opponents will be wary of their renewed desire to salvage their pride.

After failing to qualify for the 2016 national games, Kwanthanze returned stronger in 2017 and have dominated the games at both levels until last year when they lost their national crown.

Kwanzanthe captain Faith Cheptoo said they want to emulate their former players who are in Paris and others who are doing well with their respective clubs.

“Knowing that it’s at these games that the journey of all players, who are currently representing the country at the Olympics started, motivates us to work harder,” Cheptoo said. She added that training on the same ground that Malkia Strikers setters Esther Mutinda and Emmaculate Nekesa, middle blocker Lorine Chebet and opposite hitters Sharon Chepchumba and Loice Simiyu honed their skills inspires them.

“They are living proof that with hard work and dedication, we can also succeed because we have the platform and that has changed our perception of studying and playing here (Kwanthanze). It is no longer just a school, but a revered ground of endless opportunities,” said Cheptoo.

Defending champions Kesogon will launch their campaign in Group A which also has Nairobi champions Soweto Academy who have played in all national games since 2016.

Home girls and Nyanza champions Nyakongo are also in the group as well as North Eastern’s Senior Chief Adano.