SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals
Unique Sports
By
Washington Onyango
| Mar 28, 2024
As the 2024 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games loom on the horizon, anticipation and excitement is brewing following the emergence of new champions in various disciplines.
From Nairobi to Nyanza, Rift Valley and Coast, the landscape of secondary school sports has witnessed a seismic shift.
Traditional powerhouses have been dethroned by ambitious contenders ready to make their mark on the national stage.
In Nairobi, Lenana School broke a 19-year hiatus from the national finals by clinching the rugby 15s title, dethroning the reigning champions Ofafa Jerico in a thrilling final showdown at Jamhuri High School.
Under the guidance of former Maseno School alumni Nicholas Abok, Lenana displayed formidable prowess, edging out Upperhill 6-5 in a tightly contested final. Reflecting on their triumph, Abok said the team is ready to tackle the nationals after years of absence.
"We've worked tirelessly to reclaim our position on the national stage. The boys have shown remarkable resilience and skill, and we're determined to make a statement at the upcoming finals," said Abok.
Meanwhile, in basketball, Buru Buru Girls stamped their authority by dethroning Our Lady of Mercy to secure the Nairobi Region basketball girls' title and book a ticket to the national finals.
In Nyanza, a new era dawned as Onjiko High School and Ototo Mixed Secondary School relinquished their grip on boys' and girls' basketball crowns respectively.
Agoro Sare High School and Ng'iya Girls High School emerged as the new champions, scripting their names into the annals of sporting history.
Ng'iya Girls showcased sheer determination as they overcame Nyakach Girls in a gripping encounter to clinch the girls' basketball title, ending Ototo Mixed Secondary School's reign as defending champions.
Ng'iya coach Naftali Ambala lauded his team's resilience, saying; "I am incredibly proud of the girls for their performance throughout the tournament. This victory is a testament to their resilience and determination."
In boys' basketball, Agoro Sare High School asserted their dominance with a hard-fought victory over Maseno School in the final, securing the Nyanza champions' title. In hockey, Ringa Boys from Homa Bay County clinched the Nyanza Region boys' hockey title, toppling giants Kisumu Day High School in a closely contested final.
In rugby 15s, Kisumu Girls dethroned Koru Girls to reach the nationals for the first time. Under the tutelage of former Maseno School coach Paul Nyamita, Kisumu Girls stunned Koru 6-0 in the final.
In Rift Valley, St Joseph Girls Kitale, the reigning national handball champions, faced a stunning upset as Murundiko emerged victorious in girls' handball final.
In a nail-biting encounter, Murundiko sealed their triumph with a narrow 19-18 win over the formidable St Joseph Girls Kitale, signaling a changing of the guard in the region.
With new champions crowned and established titans humbled, anticipation builds ahead of the KSSSA national Term One games in Machakos next week.
Regional Champions
Basketball
Nyanza-Agoro Sare, Ng'iya Girls
Nairobi-Dagoretti High, Buru Buru Girls
Eastern-Lukenya School, Ikutha Girls
Coast-Dr Aggrey, Kaya Tiwi
Central-Pioneer School, Mpesa Academy
Handball
Nyanza-Manyatta Boys, Ulanda Girls
Nairobi-Hospital Hill, Dagoretti Mixed
Eastern-Mbooni Boys, Kwanthanze Secondary
Coast-Mwangea, Moi Forces Girls
Central-Handege, Nyathuna
Hockey
Nyanza-Ringa Boys, Nyamira Girls
Nairobi-Nairobi School, Pangani Girls
Eastern-Meru School, Nyayo Girls
Coast-St Charles Lwanga, St Charles Lwanga
Central-Muranga High, Mpesa Academy
Rugby 15s
Nyanza-Kisii School, Kisumu Girls
Nairobi-Lenana School, Hidden Talent
Eastern-All Saints Embu, Kivandini Girls
Coast-Marafa, Paul Harris
Central-Mang'u High, Kinale