After bagging titles at the just concluded Nyanza region secondary schools Term One games, teams are now eyeing glory at the nationals scheduled for April 22-30 in Eldoret.
Nyanza will be represented by Onjiko School (boys’ basketball), Ototo (girls’ basketball), Manyatta (boys’ handball), Miranga (girls’ handball), Maseno School (boys’ hockey), Nyamira Girls (girls’ hockey) and Kisii School (rugby 15s).
As the teams await draws to be done this week at Hill School in Eldoret, coaches are upbeat ahead of the national showpiece.
Onjiko School principal and head coach Joseph Were has vowed to lift the national title.
“I have been in this game for 35 good years. I have guided Nang’ina Girls, Friends School Kamusinga and Sigalame to national glory. This time I’m confident Onjiko will bag the national title,” said Were after guiding the team to the second Nyanza region title.
He, however, identified defending champion Dr. Aggrey from the Coast region as their main threat. “Being defending champions, we respect them but we are not afraid. We must show our mettle,” said a confident Were.
Onjiko retained the Nyanza title following their 84-61 win over former champions Agoro Sare.
In the girls’ basketball, Ototo coach and principal Clement Obare said he has a better team than last year’s which finished fourth.
“I don’t want to put the girls under pressure by setting unrealistic targets, but we want to play in the finals. We want to represent Kenya at the East Africa championships in Rwanda,” said Obare, a retired basketball referee. Ototo beat Barchando 47-34 to retain their title.
Maseno School and Nyamira Girls have declared their intentions to return hockey trophies to Nyanza. Maseno School coach Phillip Odhiambo said: “We are going to Eldoret for the national trophy, nothing less. At the regionals, the boys were resilient and worked hard. I expect them to put extra effort at the nationals,” said the tactician. Maseno beat Nduru Boys from Kisii 1-0 in the final.
Nyamira’s Eliakim Obondo says he expects tough competition from St Joseph’s Kitale, Tigoi Girls and Hillcrest from Nairobi.
“Last year, we lost to eventual winners Tachasis. This time, we want to play in the final, where we expect anything to happen,” said Obondo who spoke on behalf of Nyamira’s other coaches. Nyamira narrowly saw off Angenga 1-0 in the finals.
Miranga coach Wycliffe Onyango hopes their fairy tale show will continue at the nationals. The little-known team lifted their maiden sub-county, county, and regional titles on their debut.
“We want to play in the semi-finals. These girls are fearless and are ready to face any opponent at the nationals,” said Onyango.
Captained by Jael Sajimo, Miranga beat St Albert’s Ulanda 26-23 to lift the title.
Manyatta, Nyanza’s boys’ handball representatives coach Andrew Owino said: “At the regionals, we won the tournament unbeaten and led throughout in all the games. We hope to do the same at the nationals. Last year, we were eliminated at the semis, this time, we want to target the finals,” said Owino.
Ends