Teams put best talents out in quest for regional glory

By OSCAR PILIPILI

Lira, Uganda: Kenyan teams swing into action as the East African Secondary Schools Games get underway in Lira, Uganda on Monday.

All Kenyan teams will be in action as they compete in respective disciplines. Volleyball boys’ Hospital Hill, who won the national championships, play their opening Pool “B” match taking on Wav Complex of South Sudan.

Malava start their campaign to win the title with a clash against Lycee de Nyanza of Rwanda in a Pool “A” encounter also today.

Defending champions Cheptil of Kenya have one more day to tighten loose ends as they are out of action today. Cheptil, who finished runners-up at the nationals, play their first match against compatriots Malava tomorrow.

According to fixtures released yesterday by organisers of the games, all Kenyan girl teams will be in action today.

Girls’ volleyball

National volleyball champions Kwanthanze are drawn against Umbili of South Sudan, former champions Lugulu face off against Lycee Technique St Luc of Burundi while AIC Kosirai have a date with St Joseph Kabbgayi of Burundi.

In basketball girls, Kenyan teams will be facing home teams as Shimba Hills play Ndejje and Buru Buru lock horns with Buddo of Uganda. Shimba Hills surrendered the trophy after losing by a half a basket to Lycee of Burundi last year.

Shimba technical bench will bank on the experience of Taudencia Katumbi and Linet Juma to regain the title. Katumbi and Juma have just rejoined the team after three-week training stint with Philadelphia in the US.

Shimba Hills coach Baraza said: “The experience of Katumbi and Juma will definitely come in handy in our campaign to win back the trophy.”

Reclaim title

Shimba Hills have won the title twice. Other experienced players in Shimba Hill squad include Everline Atieno, who was voted Most Valuable Player at inter-countries event for the past two years, Felmas Adhiambo, Damaris Achila and Berin Awour.

In boys’ category, Kenya champions Upper Hill meet Haile Sellassie, Maseno take on St Mary’s Kisubi while Friends School Kamusinga clash with ETG Bujumburu in opening fixtures.

In boys football, Upper Hill tackles St Julian of Uganda in their first fixture of the tournament.

Girls’ football, which is expected to be an affair between Kenyan and Ugandan teams, will see Olympic play Ecotec Bujumbura as Tartar entertains Makongo of Tanzania.

Netball fixtures will see Shimba Hill play Kibuli as Obambo take on St Juliana.

In rugby, Kangaru opens the stage for Kenyan team when they face Ntare of Uganda. Defending champions Kakamega are drawn against Ntare tomorrow.

In boys’ hockey, Maseno is the only Kenyan team that will be in action today when they take on Ntare today.

In girls’ category, champions Kerugoya is drawn against Kakungulu of Uganda while Sinyolo, who are national queens, face St Mary’s Namagunga of Uganda.