St Luke's Kimilili and Moi Girls Kamusinga begin their handball title defence when Bungoma County Term 2A Games get underway today at Cheptais Boys High School in Bungoma.
The two schools, who are East Africa boys' and girls' champions, are keen to outshine their opponents and qualify for the Western Region contest.
Interestingly, both teams are neighbours in Kimilili Sub-County and have posted impressive results in the national scene for many years.
They look ready to set on course their dreams to qualify for the East Africa Secondary Schools games set for Gulu, Uganda, in August.
Kamusinga head coach Godfrey Simiyu said he has a strong squad and they are ready for the challenge, despite having lost some good players, who sat for the Form Four exams last year.
"We were very successful last year and credit goes to the strong squad we had. Even with their exit, the current players are equally good," Simiyu said.
Kamusinga will miss services of last year's East Africa and national Most Valuable Player and captain Jacinta Leli, Maximillah Werunga, Salome Biboko and Faith Okwany. They are in Group A alongside Naitiri, At Cecilia Misikhu, Lugulu and Chwele.
Their perennial rivals Toroso, who they beat 27-23 in last year's final, are in Group B. They will also be up against Mwiruti, Kaptola, Cardinal Otunga and Chebukaka.
Kimilili lights up boys' Group A together with Butonge, Kabula, Teremi and Reliance. Hosts Cheptais will launch their campaign in Group B against Ndivisi, Katana, Friends School Bukembe and Lungai.
Chebukaka are out to defend their girls' under-16 football title in Group A, where they will fight it out with Moi Girls Kamusinga, Misikhu, Miluki and Mitua. Lugulu will take on Mwibale, Kakai and Kibuk in Group B.
Bukembe are favourites for the boys' under-16 title. Bukembe caused a major upset in last year's Term 2B games, where they defeated former national champions Kakamega High and St Anthony's Kitale in the then Nzoia Region.
They qualified for the East Africa games, where they finished fourth.
They are in Group B alongside Kamusinde, Mbakalu, Kimono and Friends School Misikhu. Group A has St Matthew's Webuye, Teremi, Kabula, Butonge and Toroso.
St Cecilia Misikhu and Bungoma High will defend their netball and rugby 7s titles.
