Kenyan teams throw the gauntlet ahead of regional showpiece

Kenyan teams have thrown the gauntlet ahead of the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) games scheduled for  August 18 to 26 in Mbale, Uganda. 

The Kenyan teams are currently camping at Musingu Boys and Mukumu Girls for intense 10-day training before leaving for Mbale this Friday. 

Kenya completed the selection of teams during the five-day Term Two games held at Kisii School, Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho and Gusii Stadium.  

Regional FEASSA boys and girls volleyball champions Namwela and Kwanthanze Girls have vowed to retain their titles.

Namwela coach Isaac Mureisia said despite losing the national title to Cheptil in a thrilling final, they will turn the tables on them

“We are going to the drawing board to plot how to defend our title in Uganda. We shall use the 10-day camp in Musingu to rectify the mistakes that saw us fall to Cheptil,” said Mureisia.

Namwela lost 3-2 to Cheptil in a five-set thriller on Thursday last week. 

However, Cheptil coach Hillary Meli said: “I expect stiff competition from the likes of Namwela, who are the defending national champions. We have beaten them twice at the nationals and I know they will come hard at us.  Our target is to rise to the occasion and win the regional trophy.”

Other teams that will represent Kenya at the regional showpiece in boys’ volleyball are Nyabondo and Hospital Hill. 

Veteran Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said he is ready to defend his title which they won in Huye, Rwanda last year. “The girls are up to the task. We are going to Uganda to defend our title,” said Kigwari.

Kwanthanze will represent Kenya alongside Kesogon, Soweto Academy and Lugulu. Kesogon’s coach John Marani said they want revenge against Kwanthanze. “Revenge is on our mind. We want the East Africa title,” said Marani.

Soweto Academy coach Wycliffe Wafula is counting on the return of three key players who missed the nationals with injuries. “Last year, we finished third at regionals and we want to build on that,” said Wafula. Soweto finished third at the nationals after a 3-0 win over former champions Lugulu.

In netball, national champions Oyugi Ogango, Bumala AC, and Andersen will represent the country. Oyugi Ogango coach Cliffton Omondi said he expects his team to play in the finals.

“Ugandan teams have dominated the event but our teams have improved tremendously,” said Omondi. Bumala’s coach Jackson Uluma said they will strategise as Kenyan teams and target semi-final slots.