Kisumu ready to host national Term Two games, says Odhiambo

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two national championships have been moved from Kisii County to Kisumu City.

A meeting between KSSSA and the Ministry of Education on Wednesday found the condition of the main venue, Gusii Stadium, wanting. 

The games, set for July 30 to August 7, will feature football, volleyball, netball, rugby Sevens and racquet games.

The stadium hosted three regional championships matches but was soggy due to heavy rains, forcing the officials to move a high-risk semi-final between Agoro Sare and Matutu PAG to Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho grounds.

The match was abandoned in the 75th minute due to crowd trouble.

On Thursday, Kisii County KSSSA secretary Geoffrey Nyantika, said: “One of the reasons which necessitated the move was the heavy rains which left the pitch flooded, thus unplayable. The chaos witnessed during the Agoro Sare versus Matutu PAG game also contributed."

Moi Stadium, Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kisumu Day, Kasagam Secondary and Kisumu School are some of the designated venues in Kisumu.

The Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association executive committee met on Wednesday and ratified the decision.

Committee secretary Tom Odhiambo said they are ready to take up the challenge.

Meanwhile, Nyanza region girls' football runners-up Nyakach Girls', will join champions St Alfred’s Alara in the girls' football contest, to cover for Nothern region, who will not send a representative.

Rugby 7s champions St Mary’s School Yala will represent the region alongside Friends School Anjego, Kisii School and Otieno Oyoo.Nyakach Girls, Nyagechenche, Sidindi and Nyakongo will feature in the girls' competition.

Others are Oyugi Ogango (netball), Onjiko and Sawagongo (3x3 basketball), Ngiya Girls and Nyakach Girls (3x3 basketball) Nyabondo Boys (volleyball), Nyakongo Girls (volleyball).

Odhiambo is confident about shining the national championships with an eye on the East Africa championships.

“We should not just focus on nationals but aim at the East Africa championships. I have confidence in the teams we'll take to the nationals,” said Odhiambo.