By ERICK OCHIENG’
Riara Group of Schools-the Riara Springs Academy and Riara Road Primary School are set for next month’s International Football Championships in Madrid, Spain.
The schools are sending seven teams (80 players) to the prestigious ten-day EduKick Madrid Junior Championships beginning August 7.
Riara Primary will send 50 players while the Riara Springs will produce the remaining 30. The teams depart on August 5 for Madrid via Frankfurt Germany and are expected back on August 15.
Apart from the championships, the teams will attend a summer boot camp at the EduKick Madrid International Football Academy.
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While in Spain the teams will watch football bigwigs including Lionel Messi at Camp Nou and Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu in training.
Rigorous training
The players will play against juvenile teams and players from Spanish La Liga sides Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Villareal and Rayo Vallecano.
“We are looking forward for the Madrid trip. Apart from the competition, our teams will go through rigorous football training,” Sarah Mahingo, Riara Road Primary School Principal, told FeverPitch.
According to Mahingo, Riara Primary teams meet every Saturday at the Impala Club to train on football basics that include ball control, formation and passes apart from building the needed stamina ahead of Madrid.
Fifth time
Riara Springs coach Kennedy Otieno, told FeverPitch he is happy with the selection of teams ahead of the trip following completion of their lower, upper and high school games competitions.
This is the fifth time Riara Primary are attending the championship while Riara Academy will be participating for the third time.
Among the international cup Riara Group of Schools have won in the recent past is the U12 Eskilscupen Cup in Sweden in 2011.
The Riara football teams have also visited United Kingdom (thrice) Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Dubai and this time Spain.
Meanwhile, Chui House gathered 836 points to win gold in the Riara Road Primary Sports Day competition for Upper Classes held on Friday.
Simba House, who emerged best in cheerleading won silver with 822 points while Nyati House came third with 815.Ndovu were fourth with 748 points but won the Most Organised Team award.
Guest of honour Professor Kithure Kindiki and Riara Group of School Director Dr Eddah Gachukia praised the sports day saying it is instilling discipline and preparing the pupils to look for the other side of life apart from the education. Games for Lower Primary will be held on July 19.
THE SQUADS
RIARA ROAD TEAM
Kirathe Wellington Gichanga, Odhiambo David Otieno, Mutua Bill Keli, Bosire Obed Otuke, Owour Allan Otieno, Okome Lloyd Julius Arwa, Wachira Collins Waweru, Njunge Ng’ang’a, Mwalimo Brian Mwamboa, Franklin Ian, Gachugu Muchiri, Awendo Jason Dan, Kosen Joseph Kinayian, Wanyoike Paul Gichuhi, Waiharu Davies Kagiri, Mbugua Peterson Thuku, Kimani Daniel Ndiho, Kyle Kipkemoi Naibei, Mugweru Judith Micere, Mwariri Njeri Wangui, Ray Kingori, Wambaa Eva Salome Njoki, Joy Mburugu, Otieno Hillary Ogake, Njakwe Rodney Maina, Bosire Philip Bwogo, Kithure Anne Imani, Mohamud Ayub Ibrahim, Ogendo Kyle Jermaine, Githinji Lancelot Joseph Kuria, Maina Tobey Kinya, Muramara Sebastian Mira, Gichungu Brian Wahome, Omotii Matthew Justus Morara, Njeru Ann Mitchele Wanjiru, Nguni Sharon Mueni, Tonui Amon Kiprono, Yugi Ryan Owilla, Mitema Rodney, Karanja John, Kariuki Grace Wandia, Wakaba Edgar Wangaka, Mwendwa William Franklin, Ngeno Elsie Cherop, Neal Omollo, Shoni Jacob Mulima, Murimi Monicah Nyokabi, Mwachi Hendricks Kalukhana, Githae Richard Ryan, Wandolo Amani Henry Ombiro,
Riara Springs Academy squad
Kambo Andrew Mutethia,Njiru Ryan Munene,Mageto Tamara Ogake,Omwenga Shamilton Onwanga,Kariuki Nathan Kinuthia,Ngugi Edwin Ngumunu,Gitonga Vanessa Kendi,Barno Amy Jepchumba,Amaefula Helen Ifeoma,Kamau Terryl Irungu,Mugechi Neriah Terry,Nzomo Curtis Nzioka,Abdallla Muna Mohamed,Korir Faith Jelimo,Maumo Bradley Watulo,Kabue Daniel Kyalo,Kariuki Jason Gitau,Aseto Claude Geno Opiyo, Ndegwa Adrian Malone,Muthinga Leon Kiairie Mukuha, Kosgey Kevin Kipchumba,Khan Imaan Almina,Kahenya Ivy Wanjiku,Angina Rosey Ayana,Mwendwa Moses Kathenge, Mule Ryan Mumo, Kabue Brayan Nyingi, Kambo Andrew Mutethia, Njiru Ryan Munene, Karl Maina Githui
Officials
James Ndwiga-Team Manager
Jackline Oduor-Team Doctor
Yaddar Abisai-Head Coach
