It is official. Kisii will host the Kenya Secondary Schools term two games.
The decision was made by the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) and the Ministry of Education on Wednesday evening.
KSSSA and Ministry of Education officials settled on the venue after a day-long inspection of playing and accommodation facilities. The games had been moved to Kisumu due to the poor state of Gusii Stadium.
The inspection team was led by KSSSA President Kipchumba Maiyo, Secretary General David Ngugi and Robert Kipturgor who represented Education PS.
Others in the meeting were Nyanza Region Director of Education Lawrence Karuntimi and Kisii County Police Commander Charles Kases among other officials.
They inspected Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho, Nyabururu Girls, Gusii Stadium, Kisii School and Kisii University.
“We have inspected accommodation facilities and playing fields and we are satisfied that Kisii is ready to host the national games,” said Maiyo.
His sentiments were also echoed by Kipturgor. “Kisii has excellent facilities to host national championships and that is the report I will take to Nairobi. I want to reiterate here that Kisii is ready for the national championship.”
“The playing fields in Kisii are in good shape. They are better than what we saw in Mbale which will host the East Africa games. My appeal to Kisii is to develop more facilities so that the town can be considered for regional games in the future,” said Kipturgor.
Karuntimi said: “The team that inspected facilities is satisfied and gave a stamp of approval to Kisii to host the event. We are confident the PS will not veto this decision. However, there are loose ends which must be tied before the games start.”
On his part, Ngugi said they are satisfied with the preparations. “The environment is conducive; the grounds are in good shape but the stadium is at 65 per cent. We hope it will be at 100 per cent when the games start. I believe Kisii will host a beautiful championship,” said Ngugi.
Kisii Deputy Governor Elijah Obebo assured the officials that they would work round the clock to ensure the stadium is ready.
“I want to make an undertaking here that the stadium will be at 100 per cent by August 1. I want to thank the Ministry of Education and KSSSA for considering Kisii as the venue for nationals,” said Obebo.
Ngugi announced that Gusii Stadium will host the opening and closing ceremonies while Kisii School will host rugby 7s, football, badminton, 3x3 basketball and netball.
Cardinal Otunga will host lawn tennis, volleyball and football. The boys will be accommodated at Kisii School and the girls at Nyabururu.