School shows it's the Centre of Excellence in Term Two 'A' Games

By Oscar Pilipili

Matuu Memorial lived up to its status as Centre of Excellence after they overcame challenges during the secondary schools Term Two ‘A’ games Embu Central Zone.

Coming to the games with the tag of Centre of Excellence, Matuu worked hard to beat Iruma 28-11 in the handball final and qualify as winners to Eastern Province Championships scheduled for this weekend at Meru School.

Despite losing to Matuu, Iruma also qualified for the provincials as the top two teams in each zone go through. Stella Woli of Matuu scored a game high six points with teammate Dorcas Mutuku managing five points.

Players engage each other in past secondary schools games. Qualification rounds to Term Two A’ Championships are going on across the country. [PHOTO: MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]

Four points apiece from Naomi Musembi and Joan Akinyi sealed the victory for the winners.

To reach the final Matuu beat Nembure 18-2 while Iruma eliminated Nembure Mixed 14-10 in semis.

Matuu Principal Catherine Kyalo said: "I’m excited with the performance of my girls considering that most of the players are in Form one and two."

"They have put up brave show and hope they will carry the form to the provincials and thereafter to the nationals," Kyalo added.

Kyalo said the elevation of Matuu to Centre of Excellence under United Nations Children Education Fund programme has helped the school improve in sports.

"Matuu has the history of great sporting school not only in Kenya but East Africa but the Unicef programme has taken the status to the next level," she said after watching her team qualify for the provincials yesterday.

Matuu handball team are two-time East Africa Games champions and have won the nationals once.

They finished in bronze position both at nationals and regional games last year in Nakuru.

In the boys’ category, Joseph Muteti scored seven points to help Kaluluini beat rivals Chuka 28-6 in final. John Maingi (five), Boniface Maitha (four) and Emmanuel Nduva (four) also contributed crucial points for Kaluluini.

Kaluluini beat Nembure Mixed 21-15 while Chuka edged out Kiriani 17-16 in semi-finals to reach the final.

Eastern Province rugby kings Kangaru maintained their status after they beat archrivals Chogoria 25-12 in final.

Kangaru hammered Kiriani 50-0 while Chogoria whitewashed Chuka 21-0 in one-sided semi-final matches to sail into the final.

Thigingi pipped Our Lady of Mercy Maara 3-2 in one a low-scoring netball final to qualify for the provincials.

Embu Central zone secretary general Alex Malei said he was happy with the level of officiating at the games.

"We witnessed excellent co-operation between players and officials with each party giving out their best," said Malei.

"I would like to see the same spirit of teamwork extend to the provincials at nationals," he added.

According to Malei, their goal as Embu Central is to finish atop in the provincials and take at least two teams to the nationals.

He said: "Embu Central topped term one provincial games and our aim is to maintain same position when we travel to Meru next weekend.