Local teams out to achieve the best

Malava Boys High School Abiud Kipkirui (10) attacks Hospital Hill High School during their Secondary School Games at Kisumu Boys High School , Kisumu County on August 4, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Kenya’s campaign to reclaim the Brookside East Africa Secondary schools volleyball and basketball titles start today with the homeboys and girls meeting in their respective openers.

Five-time boys’ volleyball champions Malava will take on regional debutants Sengera in their opening Pool B match. In Pool A, Cheptil will be out to make their return to the regional scene a success when they play Tetu.

With the hosts targeting an all-Kenyan final, the battle will be about who secures the first win. Malava coach Shadrack Tovoko said that they are hoping for a victory in their opening match because it will improve their chances of reclaiming the title.

“All four teams shoulder the weight of snatching the trophy from the Rwandans but we can’t take chances because it is one title which means that it has to be delivered by one of us,” Tovoko said.

He added that reaching the finals tops his list of priorities as well as those of his Cheptil, Tetu and Sengera equals.

In other Pool A matches, defending champions Rusumo and Lycée de Nyanza both from Rwanda clash while Tanzanians Makongo play Luyanzi of Uganda. In Pool B, 2014 winners St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda play Buremba.

Seeking to recoup the girls’ crown, Kwanthanze lost to Rwanda’s GS Indagaburezi, and last year’s national champions AIC Kosirai play Soweto in a repeat of the nationals final while Lugulu take on St Anne’s Sega. St Alloys of Rwanda play Kinawa of Uganda while Indagaburezi clash with the South Sudanese.

Kosirai captain Nelly Jepchumba said she is determined to lead her side to glory as she exits the schools’ scene.

“We have to beat our best and seize this trophy because we need to return it back to where it belongs. Besides it is my last year and I want to exit the school games with the East Africa trophy.”

In basketball, 2013 boys champions Upper Hill play Kapenguria while Alliance lock horns with ETG Nyakabiga of Burundi. In the girls challenge, national queens Kaya Tiwi take on Barchando while Buruburu play Lycée de Kigali.