SCHOOLS: Lenana School, Kisumu Girls and Agoro Sare turn focus on national games finals

Lenana School in action against Upperhill during the Naiorbi Region rugby 15s finals.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

As the 2024 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games loom on the horizon, anticipation and excitement is brewing following the emergence of new champions in various disciplines.

From Nairobi to Nyanza, Rift Valley and Coast, the landscape of secondary school sports has witnessed a seismic shift.

Traditional powerhouses have been dethroned by ambitious contenders ready to make their mark on the national stage.

In Nairobi, Lenana School broke a 19-year hiatus from the national finals by clinching the rugby 15s title, dethroning the reigning champions Ofafa Jerico in a thrilling final showdown at Jamhuri High School.

Lenana School coach Nicholas Abok.[Washington Onyango, Standard]

Under the guidance of former Maseno School alumni Nicholas Abok, Lenana displayed formidable prowess, edging out Upperhill 6-5 in a tightly contested final. Reflecting on their triumph, Abok said the team is ready to tackle the nationals after years of absence.

“We’ve worked tirelessly to reclaim our position on the national stage. The boys have shown remarkable resilience and skill, and we’re determined to make a statement at the upcoming finals,” said Abok.

Meanwhile, in basketball, Buru Buru Girls stamped their authority by dethroning Our Lady of Mercy to secure the Nairobi Region basketball girls’ title and book a ticket to the national finals.

In Nyanza, a new era dawned as Onjiko High School and Ototo Mixed Secondary School relinquished their grip on boys’ and girls’ basketball crowns respectively.

Agoro Sare celebrate after winning Nyanza Region basketball title.[Washington Onyango, Standard]

Agoro Sare High School and Ng’iya Girls High School emerged as the new champions, scripting their names into the annals of sporting history.

Ng’iya Girls showcased sheer determination as they overcame Nyakach Girls in a gripping encounter to clinch the girls’ basketball title, ending Ototo Mixed Secondary School’s reign as defending champions.

Ng’iya coach Naftali Ambala lauded his team’s resilience, saying; “I am incredibly proud of the girls for their performance throughout the tournament. This victory is a testament to their resilience and determination.”

In boys’ basketball, Agoro Sare High School asserted their dominance with a hard-fought victory over Maseno School in the final, securing the Nyanza champions’ title. In hockey, Ringa Boys from Homa Bay County clinched the Nyanza Region boys’ hockey title, toppling giants Kisumu Day High School in a closely contested final.

Kisumu Girls celebrate after winning Nyanza Region rugby 15s title.[Washington Onyango, Standard]

In rugby 15s, Kisumu Girls dethroned Koru Girls to reach the nationals for the first time. Under the tutelage of former Maseno School coach Paul Nyamita, Kisumu Girls stunned Koru 6-0 in the final.

In Rift Valley, St Joseph Girls Kitale, the reigning national handball champions, faced a stunning upset as Murundiko emerged victorious in girls’ handball final.

Kisumu Girls rugby players during a training session.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

In a nail-biting encounter, Murundiko sealed their triumph with a narrow 19-18 win over the formidable St Joseph Girls Kitale, signaling a changing of the guard in the region.

With new champions crowned and established titans humbled, anticipation builds ahead of the KSSSA national Term One games in Machakos next week.

Regional Champions

Basketball

Nyanza-Agoro Sare, Ng’iya Girls

Nairobi-Dagoretti High, Buru Buru Girls

Eastern-Lukenya School, Ikutha Girls

Coast-Dr Aggrey, Kaya Tiwi

Central-Pioneer School, Mpesa Academy

Handball

Nyanza-Manyatta Boys, Ulanda Girls

Nairobi-Hospital Hill, Dagoretti Mixed

Eastern-Mbooni Boys, Kwanthanze Secondary

Coast-Mwangea, Moi Forces Girls

Central-Handege, Nyathuna

Hockey

Nyanza-Ringa Boys, Nyamira Girls

Nairobi-Nairobi School, Pangani Girls

Eastern-Meru School, Nyayo Girls

Coast-St Charles Lwanga, St Charles Lwanga

Central-Muranga High, Mpesa Academy

Rugby 15s

Nyanza-Kisii School, Kisumu Girls

Nairobi-Lenana School, Hidden Talent

Eastern-All Saints Embu, Kivandini Girls

Coast-Marafa, Paul Harris

Central-Mang’u High, Kinale