East Africa hockey champs Nyamira Girls feted by Kisumu Governor Nyong'o

Nyamira Girls High School awarded by Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong'o celebrated Nyamira Girls High School's feat of winning the East Africa hockey girls' title in Rwanda two weeks ago by awarding the players Sh300,000 at Ratta Primary School in Seme.

Nyamira Girls won the 2023 Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSSA) hockey girls title after finishing top of the seven-team round-robin standings with 16 points.

Nyamira did not only win casually but in a remarkable fashion, remaining unbeaten throughout the entire tournament.

The two-time national champions saw off Kakungulu Memorial 2-0, Western Region champions Tigoi Girls 2-0, St Mary's Namagunga 4-0, Gayaza High School 8-0, Bweranyangi Girls 5-0 and a 0-0 draw against Rift Valley champions St Joseph Girls Kitale.

The journey to this historic victory saw them rise through various ranks, starting from being the Siaya County champions, progressing to conquer the Nyanza Region, and ultimately emerging victorious as the KSSSA (Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association) National champions.

Interestingly, over 10 players currently playing for Nyamira Girls come from Ratta in Seme where they are trained by a non-profit organization for sports called Tunza Sports.

Speaking to Standard Sports, Kisumu Governor Nyong'o said he was excited about the performance of Ratta-trained hockey girls in the just concluded East Africa school games.

Nyong'o hailed the Tunza Foundation for training the girls to master hockey from a very young age. He also thanked Nyamira Girls High School in Siaya, for allowing the girls to exploit their talents.

"I am pleasantly excited to join you here today as we celebrate these golden girls who have brought fame and pride, not only to our village of Rata but to Nyanza and Kenya as a whole.

"I wish to take this earliest opportunity to thank Tunza Foundation for identifying the talents in these girls and spending resources to train them through the years," said Nyong'o.

Nyamira will now be representing Africa in the World International Schools Sports championships in Belgrade, Serbia in 2024.

"These girls are a good example of how ability, talent, and interest can ignite the highest potential in our young people in a schooling system that nurtures personal potential within teamwork.

"This is a firm statement that parents and teachers must not stand in the way of children pursuing their talents. Let us allow our children to demonstrate their talents and pursue their dreams.

"My government will continue to collaborate with Tunza Sports Foundation in identifying and training more talented students in our schools. The Ratta girls have just opened the way for bigger partnerships," added Nyong'o.

Nyamira Girls High School captain Vivian Akinyi (right) awarded by Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o.[Washington Onyango,Standard]]

Tunza is an organization centered not only on sports alone but focuses on empowering young girls through education.

The foundation is ingeniously harnessing the power of sports, particularly hockey, as a gateway to academic empowerment.

While hockey predominantly thrives in urban centers across Kenya, Tunza Sports chose a different path.

It ventured into the rural heartlands, where opportunities are scarce for children, to unearth hidden talent and potential. The foundation's approach isn't just about training on the field, it delves into homes, forging connections with families to understand their needs.

By assisting a single child from a family, Tunza Sports aims to break the cycle of poverty within rural communities