Schools: Kisumu Day seek clean medal sweep

East Africa Secondary Schools boys' hockey champions Kisumu Day are seeking a clean sweep this year.

With eyes on the national and East Africa titles, they know too well that they must first navigate through the regional hurdle.

They launch their regional title defence on Thursday at St Mary's Yala School as the Nyanza Region Term One Games begin. 

They are in Group A alongside St Joseph's Rapogi and Ramba of Homa Bay and Siaya counties respectively.

They will be seeking victory in both matches in a quest to advance to the semi-finals and increase their chances of qualifying for next month's national games.

Kisumu Day coach Booker Odhiambo said they are confident of retaining the regional title.

"So much is at stake for us because our objectives for 2018 depend on our performance at the regional games.

"If we stumble then we will not be able to achieve our national and East Africa goals," Booker said.

He added that 10-time national champions and perennial rivals Kisumu Boys are their biggest threats in Nyanza.

"Kisumu Boys are our major threat. We have to be at our best for us to overcome and remain on course to achieving our objectives."

Kisumu Day has carried the day in their last two encounters winning 2-0 at the Sub-county level and 1-0 in the Kisumu County final.

Kisumu Boys are in Group B together with Maranda School of Siaya County, Kisii High School of Kisii County and Mbita High of Migori. 

Five-time East Africa girls champions Sinyolo will also be seeking to successfully defend their title.

[Elizabeth Mburugu]