Laiser Hill launch title defence against hosts Aga Khan

Laiser Hill School's Oscar Otieno saves the ball in their match with Dagoreti high during Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Term 1 National games at Embu University grounds. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Thrilling battles are expected at this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national Term One games that begin today in Mombasa.

At Shimo La Tewa School, emotions are expected to reach fever pitch as upcoming basketball and rugby stars face off in hunt for national glory at the Brookside sponsored games.

Basketball champions Laiser Hill and Kaya Tiwi will be eying a perfect start when they begin their defence against Aga Khan Academy Mombasa and Meterdei Mua Hills in boys’ and girls’ contests respectively.

Seven-time national champions Laiser Hill from Rift Valley will have to be at their best to overcome homeboys Aga Khan, who will be enjoying home support in their opening Group A match.

In the second Group A encounter, North Eastern’s Darul Hikma will announce their entry to the national scene against regulars Alliance Boys from Central Region.

In group B, last year’s finalists Sigaleme from Western will be making their second appearance against novices Agoro Sare.

Sigalame will be hoping to build on their impressive show in Embu, go all the way to the final and qualify for East Africa games for a second time in a row.

Fast-rising Dagoretti High will welcome newcomers Miruriiri from Eastern to the national games.

Dagoretti captain Churchill Ondoro said the Nairobi side, who finished seventh on their national debut last year, are eying the trophy and a victory in their opener will set them on path to achieving their objective.

“We have to leave Mombasa as the new champions. We have worked very hard and we are more experienced. We will settle for nothing less than the trophy,” Ondoro said.

Kaya Tiwi School, who are seeking to win a fourth basketball title in a row,  will be out to prove they are playing at home and winning is the name of the game for them.

“We have no equal and we are not worried of our opponents at the national games. We have prepared well and our focus is winning the East Africa region title,” said team captain Yvonne Atieno.

She added that Kaya Tiwi, who are in group B, have the best squad this year and are ready to defend their honour and extend their reign that began in 2016.

In another group B tie, Loreto Girls Limuru from Central will take on perennial rivals Buruburu from Nairobi in a repeat of last year’s third-place playoffs clash. Buruburu won 53-49.

In group A, former national champions Tigoi from Western will play Barchando from Nyanza while Rift Valley’s St Brigid's Kimini take on North Eastern’s Wajir Girls.