Top two teams in each county will book tickets to the regional games set for Embu.
Battle for tickets to the 2020 Eastern Region Secondary School Term One games will begin today in Makueni and Machakos.
Last year’s national handball finalists Mbooni Boys will have everything to play for as they seek to excel and secure their return to the national games where they are chasing the trophy that eluded them after they lost to giants St Luke’s Kimilili.
Mbooni coach Gerald Juma says his charges have come of age and are now looking to qualify for the national games on an unbeaten record.
“They are better than they were last year because it was their first time at higher level of competition. They have also gained exposure playing the national league and I believe playing against experienced club players has added value to the team,” Juma said.
Exuding confidence, Juma added that his squad that finished second on their national debut to book their ticket to the East Africa games where they finished fifth, is still intact.
He, however, says they expect stiff competition from Matiliku, Nduluni and Iiani.
Juma will bank on the brilliance of his starting seven of goalkeeper Joshua Kilomi, Yusuf Pwoka, John Abel, Martin Juma, Dalmas Ngichabe, Richard Simiyu and Emmanuel Laisa.
They launch their quest in Group A at Kasikeu Boys School against Thomeandu while Nduluni and Matiliku also face off in the same pool.
In basketball, hosts Kasikeu entertain Kilungu whereas Kanthuni play Barazani in the girls' contest.
Imale will tackle Kiteta as Kalulini clash with Mukaa in day one of boys' hockey matches.
Kilungu and St Joseph’s Kibwezi will be looking to defend boys' and girls hockey titles as Mwaani Boys and Makueni Boys hope to stamp authority in rugby 15s and 7s respectively.
At Machakos School, County boys' basketball champions Lukenya Academy will be chasing their fourth successive title.
They begin their campaign in Group B against Kitonyini. Lukenya coach Jeff Muange said they are eying the regional title this year which will earn them a ticket to the national games set for mid April in Kapsabet.
“We have been preparing for this year’s challenge since last year’s Eastern Region games. The boys are eager and ready to qualify for the regional games,” Muange said.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Region rugby 15s champions Dagoretti High crashed Sunshine 74-7 to remain on course to retaining their title.
In other ties, Ofafa Jericho were on fire thumping Aquinas 71-0 and Makongeni 70-0.
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