Buruburu Girls basketball team coach Julius Otieno is confident of posting good results at the East African School Games despite being pitted against strong opponents.
The former national champions have been drawn in Pool A alongside reigning champions Butere Girls (Western) and Kaya Tiwi (Coast).
"We are currently preparing for the East African School Games. My girls are undergoing rigorous training," said Otieno ahead of the regional event scheduled for August 16-18 in Uganda.
Dr Aggrey (Coast), Agoro Sare (Nyanza) and 10-time national champions Laiser Hill (Rift Valley) will represent the country in the boys category.
Kenya has yet to win the girls' title in the last six years with Uganda's St Mary's Kitende of Uganda having won the last three editions.
College George The Fox Kagarama have also dominated the boys' cadre for a similar period.
Otieno said he is determined to change the narrative this year. "We are preparing a strong team and I know we have what it takes to topple Uganda who have dominated the girls' basketball," he noted.
He said Ugandans' strength lies in their physical fitness and education system, where girls compete up to Form Six, unlike Kenya's 8-4-4 system.
"This means Kenyan girls are limited by the education system and don't mature in the game," he added.
Ironically, Kenyan girls move to neighbouring Uganda for 'A' levels and continue with their game.
"We got enlightened on the matter and we have advised our girls to advance to university as it is important to align sports with the Kenyan education system.," said Otieno,
He said they will work with the other Kenyan teams at the regional games to ensure they recapture the title they last won six years ago.