Kwale County delivers during Coast Region games: Kwale County reigns supreme in Coast Region championships

Jackine Baya (left) of kenya's St. John's Kaloleni Secondary School vies for the ball possesion against Diane Umumaranrungu of GS Remere of Rwanda during their East Afrca Secondary School Games football match at Kipchoge Stadium, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on August 28, 2016.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

There is a new revolution pattern in the Coast region school games.

Well established schools, them that used to dominate sports at will, have been dethroned and behold, there are new kids on the block.

Schools in Mombasa County were the sides to beat in successive championships, but that seems to be changing. There are no big teams any more. During this year's regional games, Kwale County has proven to be a powerhouse.

In the Term Two B games at Kilifi Township, schools from Kwale swept the four trophies on offer.

Kwale Girls School stunned reigning national girls' football champions St John's Kaloleni 2-0 in the final, while little-known Ramisi School from Kwale County dismissed former champions Tononoka School of Mombasa 2-1 in the boys' final.

In boys' volleyball, Waa School of Kwale successfully defended the title, while St John's Kaloleni from Kilifi County retained the girls' volleyball title.

In racquet games, which involved badminton, lawn tennis and table tennis, most players from Kwale County qualified for the national games to be held next month in Nyeri.

In Term Two A games, Kaya Tiwi from Kwale County represented the region in netball and rugby Sevens. During Term One games, Kaya Tiwi School once again won the girls' basketball national title, while Matuga from the same county took part in girls' hockey.

But what is making schools in hinterland tick? Most of their principals have taken sports seriously and have invested in proper infrastructure.

Kwale Girls School coach Mukasa Amboko said proper training facilities have come in handy as they prepare for games.

"We have enough land at our school for expansion, unlike most of the schools in towns," said Amboko.

"Kwale County has emerged as worthy competitors after embracing workable blueprints. Training of coaches and teams has also played a big part in the growth of sports in this county. That's the way to go," he Amboko.                                 [Ernest Ndunda]