Omar Gadafi of Shimo la Twea High School is tackled to the ground by Japhet Mathew (top) of Galana Secondary school in Kilifi County in one of the boys opening rugby matches during the Coast Region Term One Ball Games at Shimo la Tewa high school, March 14, 2019. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

Mombasa County secondary schools Term One games, which were to start yesterday and conclude today, were postponed for the second time due to lack of funds.

The County Secondary Schools Sports Association Secretary Silas Atsula confirmed the postponement of the games, which were also called off last week due to lack of finances.

“We have rescheduled our games which were to start today (yesterday) until Thursday and Friday, when we expect funds will be available,” said Atsula.

The postponement has been due to delay in disbursing funds by the Ministry of Education. The delay has caused anxiety as other counties have picked their teams for the Coast Region games.

The delay means Mombasa County winners will have more time to prepare for the regional games.

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During the Matuga sub-county games in Kwale County, head teachers contributed cash to salvage the sub-county championships at Shimba Hills High School.

Matuga Sub-county Secondary Schools Sports Association chairman Robert Aran said they made arrangements to contribute and host the games as they wait for the disbursement of cash by the ministry.

This move was lauded by the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Secretary David Ngugi, who said it was wrong for sports organisers to cancel or delay games for lack of funds, yet the ministry is in the process of disbursing funds for this year’s events.

“I want to commend Matuga sub-county chairman Robert Aran for thinking outside the box and ensuring school heads within his jurisdiction pool resources to allow the games to run smoothly because such monies will definitely be refunded once funds are made available by the ministry,” Ngugi said. Atsula said venue of the games will be Shimo La Tewa High School. [Ernest Ndunda]

In Kilifi County games at Katana Ngala Memorial School, St George’s beat Sokoke 6-5 (1-1) on penalties in boys’ final, while St John’s Kaloleni had nine points while winning girls’ hockey title.

St John’s beat Dungicha 11-10 in the handball final while Dungicha dismissed Dr Krapf 27-17 in boys’ final.