Kenyan teams will renew rivalry at the 21st edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (FEASSA) rugby 7s scheduled for next week in Mbale, Uganda.
The newly crowned national champions Friends School, Bwake, Vihiga Boys, St Mary’s School Yala and Kisii School will represent the country in the show.
They will be up against Uganda’s Jinja Secondary School, London School of St Lawrence, Dr Obote College and Kiira College. Rwanda will be represented by G.S Gitisi.
The games will be played on a round-robin basis at Mbale Rugby Union grounds. Bwake, coached by Cleophas Mikisi, stunned Vihiga Boys 19-14 in a thrilling final to lift the national title at Kisii School last week.
In the absence of regional champions Koyonzo, new champions will emerge.
Yala coach George Kerima declared his team favourites and vowed to bring the trophy home.
“Our dream was to lift the national trophy but we lost to Bwake in the semi-finals in controversial circumstances because the referee sent off the wrong player. However, we finished third and qualified for FEASSA. We will do our best and ensure we bring the trophy home,” said Kerima.
Vihiga coach Abdalla Abubakar said: “I expect commitment and endurance from the boys during the championship. We respect all our opponents but we are determined to win the title.”
Vihiga will bank on Melvin Mweresa, who was voted the Most Valuable Player during the nationals.
In the inaugural girls’ 7s, Kenya will be represented by champions St Joseph’s Girls High Kitale, Kinale Secondary, St Theresa’s Kithimu and Nyagichenche Mixed.
They will face off with Jinja Secondary School, Nkoma Secondary School, PMM Girls and Kijjibweni from Uganda. The girls’ competition will also be run on a round-robin basis.
Kinale coach Allan Bush said he's eyeing a top-two finish. “At the nationals, St Joseph’s Kitale won the battle but they should expect war in Uganda. I expect some good rugby and exposure for the girls,” said Bush.
However, St Joseph’s coach Godwin Alumada dared rivals, warning that they would go to Uganda for the trophy.
In rugby 15s, Kenya’s national champions All Saints Embu will face counterparts Lenana High School, regional champions St Mary’s Kisubi, and Namilyango College (Uganda) in Pool ‘A’.
Pool ‘B’ will feature Kings College Budo, Makerere College (Uganda) and Kenya’s Butula Boys and Kitondo Secondary School.
The action gets underway on Monday when All Saints Embu play St Mary’s Kisubi as Lenana School battles Namilyango College.
Butula Boys will be up against Kings College Budo while Kitondo face off with Makerere College.