Kenya reign supreme again at East Africa: Kenyan schools bag ten titles to retain overall East Africa crown

KSSSA 2018 Kajiado County's Laiser Hill School rugby team celebrate after beating Chavakali School during the 10th Edition of Copa Coca Cola Kenya Secondary Schools Sports games at Eldoret Sports Club on Friday July 27, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya retained the overall title as this year’s Brookside East Africa Secondary School Games ended in Musanze, Rwanda.

The Kenyans, who have dominated the regional games overshadowing their East African counterparts once again flexed the muscle to win their 16th regional games.

Kenya won a total of 28 medals; 10 gold, eight silver and 10 bronze to beat their Ugandan and Rwandese counterparts, who finished second and third respectively.

Uganda, who were a major threat to Kenya’s hopes of retaining the title were once again forced to play second fiddle after grabbing a total 25 medals.

They had nine gold, 10 silver and six bronze. Uganda won the 2014 overall title in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Since then they have been battling to dethrone Kenya in vain.

Hosts Rwanda finished third spot with four gold, five silver and seven bronze medals for a total of 16 medals.

Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan did not feature at this year’s edition making it a three-nation championship.

Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association Secretary General David Ngugi praised all the participants, but more so the Rwandans for putting up an impressive show adding that next year’s hosts would be announced at a later date.

“Rwanda has once again proved they are not only good hosts, but worthy opponents too. The games were competitive and we got worthy winners as well as the incorporation of the Primary School games for the first time,” Ngugi said at the Ubworoherane Stadium

Kenya extended their rugby dominance by bagging gold, silver and bronze in sevens and 15s titles at Busogo University grounds.

Laiser Hill (rugby sevens) and Upper Hill (rugby 15s) clinched their maiden titles to complete their respective doubles and also ensure Kenya retained the titles.

Kenya also tightened their grip on hockey trophies as St Anthony’s Boys Kitale grabbed their sixth regional crown while Trans Nzoia Mixed claimed a maiden girls’ title.

Girls’ volleyball was also a Kenyan preserve as Kwanthanze downed all their challengers to win their fourth gong. They beat Rwandese rivals GS Indagaburezi in the final.

Kenya’s Cheptil retained the bronze medal won last year in Gulu, Uganda.

The boys’ volleyball crown once again evaded Kenya as Malava Boys lost 3-2 to Rwanda’s St Joseph, who are proving to be a force to reckon in the region, especially under the guidance of former Kenya international and women’s national team coach Paul Bitok.

Kenya held on to the girls’ football title in spectacular fashion as debutantes Kwale Girls edged Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim 1-0 in the final with a l ast minute winner.

It was once again pain in the boys’ competition as Kakamega failed to make it to the final settling for bronze for the second year running.

Uganda’s Buddo won gold ahead of Rwanda’s Lyee De Kigali.

Kenya also maintained the gold in boys’ athletics with Uganda taking the girls’ title.

Lawn tennis girls’ gold and swimming (boys and girls) titles will also be coming back to Kenya.