St Patrick’s Iten High School rugby 15's head coach Bernard Indasi is looking beyond the national secondary school games after lifting the Rift Valley title on Wednesday.
St. Patrick’s will be making their second appearance in a row at the nationals. Indasi said their target is to feature in the East Africa Games scheduled for August in Uganda.
“Our target is to reach the semifinals at the national championships and book a slot for East Africa games. That has been a dream for the school and players,” said Indasi.
Last year, the Elgeyo Marakwet-based school lost in the pool matches on their maiden appearance at the nationals. Iten defeated hosts Kapsabet Boys 13-5 in the final to book the single slot for the nationals next month in Machakos.
“Every tournament has its challenges and success. At our level, we thought we could face St Anthony’s Kitale at the final. That could have been a tough challenge if their last year's performance is anything to go by. Kapsabet did us an honour to eliminate them in the semifinals,” he said.
In the final, Gideon Kimutai converted two penalties before converting Delville Peter's Masienge try to hand them a 13-5 victory. Iten made it to the final following a 3-0 victory against Kabianga while Kapsabet hammered St. Anthony's Kitale 6-3.
In hockey, seven-time national champion St Anthony's retained their title following a 2-0 victory against Iten. Kevin Onyango scored a brace for the winners.
In girls' hockey, St Joseph retained their title courtesy of a 1-0 victory against former national champions Tachasis. Gertrude Wabwile scored the solitary goal through a penalty to help her team book a national ticket.
Their head coach John Lusaka said his team is ready to represent Rift Valley in the national championships to carry the national trophy.
"I have experienced players and I hope we are going to shine at the nationals. I am confident my girls will play better at the national level," said Lusaka.
In girls' basketball, West Pokot’s Nasokol beat St Joseph 50-47. Nasokol coach Abigael Mboya praised Joh Atem for playing a key role in the team’s victory.
“St. Joseph had underrated us from the start but we thank God for the sweet victory. This is sweet revenge after they denied us a ticket to the nationals last,” said Mboya.
Laiser Hill defended their basketball title for the boys with a resounding 53-45 whipping of St Joseph, Kitale. Saniak and Murundiko will fly the region’s flag in boys and girls categories respectively.
The Nandi-based Saniak beat Nabunga 36–32 at in the finals while Murundiko from Nakuru were 19-18 winners against national champions St. Joseph’s Kitale.