Kisii county retained the overall title during the Nyanza region primary schools athletics championships that concluded at Gusii Stadium on Wednesday.
During the two-day championships, Kisii garnered a whopping 281 points and was trailed in second place by Homa Bay (149) with Migori taking the third position with 130 points.
Nyamira, inspired by diminutive sprinter Mary Kwamboka, came fourth with 128 points and Siaya fifth with 78 points. Kisumu finished last with a paltry 71 points.
A total of 80 athletes were picked to represent the region at the nationals to be held at William ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok on April 24 and 25. Kisii Governor Simba Arati attended the closing day of the event.
Kwamboka, a Standard 8 pupil at Omoyo Primary School clocked 59.50 to win the 400m race and was followed in second place by Elizabeth Kerubo in 59.90.
“I want to follow in the footsteps of Mary Moraa (Commonwealth 800m gold medalist) and Hellen Obiri (Boston marathon winner). They are my role models. I am going for the national title,” she said after running barefoot on the tartan track.
In 200m, she finished second in the race that was won by Esther Awino of Siaya. Kwamboka clocked 27.09 while Awino won in 26.68. She also anchored her team to third-place finishes in the 4x400m (girls) and 4x400m mixed relays.
Dalmas Ongaga from Kisii won the boys’ 400m in 51.60 beating Paul Chacha of Migori to second in 54.20 while Brian Otieno completed the podium finish in 54.80.
Winfridah Kwamboka and Clinton Makori won the 2, 000m steeplechase titles. Kwamboka bagged the girls’ title in 7:13.20 followed by compatriot Diana Onchiri in 7:21.60.
Makori clocked 6:30.40 ahead of Emmanuel Kantai of Migori who finished in 6:40.00.
“Last week, I watched internationals participate in the AK weekend meeting. I learnt a lot from them. One day, I want to represent Kenya,” said Makori.
Governor Arati told the upcoming athletes to shun drugs and performance-enhancing substances.
“You can make it without doping. Sports especially athletics is one of the highest paying careers. Take it seriously,” said Governor Arati.
The Governor challenged Team Nyanza to win the national overall title next week.
Nyanza region primary schools sports association secretary Tobias Oyugi promised to dethrone Rift Valley.
“The athletes will camp in Kisii before they depart for Narok on April 23. From what I have seen here, we have a team that will give Rift Valley a run for their money,” said Oyugi.