It is family affair as schools games begin in Kakamega

By Anderson Ojwang

When the national Kenya Secondary Schools Term One Games begin in Kakamega County today, one family from Nyanza will be following the tournament closely.

It will be a brother and sisters affair at the swimming competition that will see five members of Josiah family represent the region.

Out of the 30 swimmers representing the region the five will be leading in gold search for the region.

Technical advisor Mangla Okanda says the family has produced fantastic swimmers for a long time.

Josiah siblings of Nyanza schools swimming team. [PHOTO:titus munala/STANDARD]

"Last year, Nyanza came second to Nairobi and the girls were boosted by the Josiahs’ who have been inspirational to other swimmers.

Mangla says the family and the rest of the Nyanza team is expected to light the tournament at Mudasa Academy in Vihiga County.

The members of the family in the Nyanza swimming team are twin sisters Angela and Anne Josiah, Dianne, Tressy (all from Kisumu Senior School) and their brother Teddy Josiah of Jalaram Academy.

Angela and Anne participated in last year’s schools swimming gala where Anne won gold in 50M-breast stroke with Angela coming second.

"This year, we are determined to return to Kisumu with a basket full of medals. We have trained hard enough and this round we will beat the Nairobi team." said Anne.

Teddy and Dianne have both featured in the Level one Telecom National Age Group Swimming Championships in South Africa in 2007 and are determined to use their experience win medals.

Teddy, who started swimming while in class three, says they were all inspired to the sport by their father James Onyango Josiah who used to take them to swimming lessons from tender ages.

Teddy won 200M-breast stroke in last year’s national swimming gala at Upper Hill, Nairobi.

He says: "I have put in much strength and I am determined to beat my main challenger Allain Moseti from Booker Academy."

The girls will be taking part in the mildew relay, while Teddy in the individual mildew 200M.

Coaches Kenneth Ochieng’ and Linet Atieno say the team is at their best, having trained well for the games.