East Africa champions Nyamira Girls from Siaya and Kwanthanze from Machakos are among 10 schools nominated for the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) set for March 1 in Nairobi.
Nyamira (hockey) and Kwanthanze (volleyball) are the favourites as the schools’ category returns for the first time since 2019 — when sporting activities were called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
National volleyball champions Kesogon (volleyball), Butere Girls (basketball and football), St Joseph’s Kitale (handball), Ototo Mixed (basketball 3x3) and netball winners, Oyugi Ogango,are also in the mix.
Former East Africa and national football holders Wiyeta, Madira Girls and St Maurice Mwira Girls — who won the rugby 7s title — complete the star-studded lineup.
While Nyamira will be hoping for their first Soya award, Kwanthanze and Wiyeta will be hoping that lady luck smiles on them once again having previously won the coveted trophy.
Kwanthanze had a successful season despite suffering a shock 3-1 defeat to Kesogon to relinquish the national crown. It was Kesogon’s first appearance at the nationals.
They put up a spirited fight to avenge their nationals loss to Kesogon to retain their title to hit seven regional wins. They also beat Morocco’s Lycee Bin Anzarane to be crowned African champions.
Individually, Kwanthanze’s Terry Tata bagged the East Africa and Kenya Volleyball Federation women’s league Most Valuable Player accolades.
Butere also had a fruitful 2023. The football team returned to the national stage after a nine-year absence to beat defending champions Wiyeta Girls 1-0 for a second national.
In basketball 5x,5 Butere rose to the occasion in Eldoret, drubbing defending champions Kaya Tiwi 51-41 to bag a maiden national title.
Dethroning Kaya Tiwi was sweet revenge for the Kakamega County girls, who had lost to the coastal giants during the 2018 national final at Kangaru School.
Butere is among Kenyan schools that have embraced diversity having fielded three teams in Huye, Rwanda.
St Joseph Girls Kitale edged out handball defending champions Moi Girls Kamusinga 16-15 to lift the trophy while the hockey team won silver and bronze and the East Africa and national games respectively.
Madira Girls finished third at the national games and also won the Football Kenya Federation Women Division One overall crown.
Little-known Ototo Mixed Secondary School made history by clinching the first-ever national title in basketball 3x3 after seeing off St. Brigids Kiminini 14-9 to book their ticket to Rwanda where they finished third.
Oyugi Ogango beat Bukokholo 54-50 to secure their first national title.
However, the going got tough in Rwanda as they finished fifth.
