Tambach ready for title defence in regional games

Victor Onjulo of Tambach Teachers Training College takes a throw of the discuss during the Kenya Teachers Teachers Training Colleges Mau Region Athletics Championships at Kericho TTC yesterday.

Defending champions Tambach face an acid test when Rift Valley Region (RVR) Teachers Training Colleges ball games start today at Kericho Teachers Training College.

Tambach, who won six titles; football (men and women), volleyball, (men and women) and handball (men and women) last year, will this time contend with seven other teams in search of glory.

In the race for winners' medals are hosts Kericho, Baraton Castello (Nandi), Baraton Sosiot (Kericho), Madonna (Uasin Gishu), Mosoriot (Nandi), Chester (West Pokot) and Baringo TTCs.

Kericho are expected to retain men's hockey title, although they must be at their best against Mosoriot, Tambach and Baringo.

Champions Baringo should have it easy retaining women's hockey title. They will face Tambach, Kericho and Mosoriot, although Baraton Castello could be a surprise package. On their part, Tambach are expected to reign supreme in men and women's netball.

Baringo, who are women handball women champions, will be wary of Tambach in the round-robin matches, while Kericho will be eager to retain men's handball title against Tambach and Baringo.

In volleyball courts, Tambach will be the team to beat. Rift Valley Teachers Training Colleges Games Secretary General Duncan Okwaro said teams are ready for the tournament. This year's standards will be higher as battle for tickets to the national championships to be held at the same venue from April 3-7, intensifies.

The main venue is Kericho TTC. Kabianga High School will host football and basketball, while Kabianga University will hockey matches in the three-day competition, whose theme is to 'Enhance Peace and co-existence through Games and Sports'.

Okwaro said they have liaised with officials of various sporting federations to provide qualified personnel to officiate in the games ahead of the national championships.

"We have liaised with officials of various sporting federations to provide us with qualified referees and umpires," he said.