By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) has released draws for term one National Championships at Mang’u High from April 15-20.

The games will involve teams from eight administrative regions – Northern, Garissa, Metropolitan, Nzoia, Nakuru, Aberdare, Lake and Mombasa. The regions were defined after the Ministry of Education reviewed boundaries last year.

The teams will compete in basketball, netball 15s rugby, swimming and athletics.

“I’m glad to announce draws for our games that will be staged at Mang’u High on April 15-20,” David Ngugi, the KSSSA secretary said in Nairobi yesterday.

“Term one games are our first step of selecting teams who will represent the country in East African Games.”

Boys’ basketball competition will see newcomers Kapsabet of Nakuru battle it out against regulars Laiser Hill (Metropolitan) who are also defending champions, Maseno (Lake region) and Shimba Hills (Mombasa) in Pool ‘A’.

Former national champions Friends School Kamusinga play preliminary matches under Pool ‘B’ against Aberdare region representatives Mang’u, Mandera and a team from Northern region.

In girls’ basketball, indomitable Shimba Hills of Mombasa who are reigning champions are grouped in Pool ‘A’ together with Senior Chief Ogle of Garissa, Bahati of Nakuru and a team from Northern region.

Pool ‘B’ has Raliew (Lake region), Buru Buru (Metropolitan), Heights (Aberdare) and St Brigids Kiminini (Nzioa).

In 15s rugby, Mang’u are placed in Pool ‘A’ and will play their preliminary matches against Nakuru Day, St Gorges and (Mombasa) and St Mary’s Yala (Lake region).

The draws landed Kakamega in a tough Pool ‘B’ that also features Nairobi School of Metropolitan, Alliance (Aberdare), and a team from Northern.

Except St Georges, all other teams that have qualified for rugby are regulars in the Nationals.

In netball, Kaptagat (Nakuru), Misikhu (Nzoia), Ogande (Lake region) and a team from Northern are grouped in Pool ‘A’ while Tetu (Aberdare), Shimba Hills (Mombasa), Nduluku (Metropolitan) and Ogande (Lake region) form Pool ‘B’.

According to new boundaries, Mombasa region, which was previously called Coast Province, comprises of Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu Counties.

Nzioa has Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, West Pokot, Turkana and Trans Nzioa counties. Aberdare region is made up of Kiambu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Nyeri and Nyandarua counties.