Kakamega High, Kamusinga reclaim crowns

Kakamega High school’s Fredrick Cheti loses control in an attack by Bradley Udiema and Philip Otieno of Dagoreti during 18th edition of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Games at Tanzania Game track in Arusha, Tanzania on Monday, Aug 19, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kakamega High and Moi Girls Kamusinga yesterday reclaimed their Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools rugby 15s and girls handball titles.

Kakamega High, popularly known as Barbarians, ended their two-year trophy drought after finishing on top of the standings in the round-robin contest.

They thrashed homeboys Okeeswa Secondary School 56-15 in their final round-robin match at the Tanzania Game Track (TGT) and Safari grounds to reclaim the title they had last won in 2016 in Eldoret.

They finished the championship on a winning record garnering 36 points from six matches. This was Kakamega’s seventh title which is an improvement from last year’s bronze in Musanze, Rwanda. They crowned a memorable year as they completed a double having recaptured the national title in April.

Dagoretti High School settled for second spot with 29 points while Uganda’s Namilyango College snatched bronze that spoiled Kenya’s party after forcing Kangaru School to fourth place.

Kakamega coach Amos Wamanga attributed their success to teamwork. “These boys came back longing to perform well after a disappointing 2018. And the result has been brilliant performances throughout the tournament,” Wamanga said.

Kwanthanze eased to their fifth East Africa trophy after outclassing compatriots Cheptil in straight sets. They defended their crown in 25-19, 25-22 and 25-18 that was a repeat of national finals.

Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said he had worked on improving their serves and blocks ahead of the final.

“Our blocks and service were wanting in Kisumu and so they capitalised on those two areas to stretch us to five sets but you can see today our improvement did not give them any chance,” Kigwari said.

Kenya’s Soweto Academy made it a clean sweep for the country as they saw off Rwanda’s St Alloys 3-1 in the playoff earlier. Mogonga PAG Secondary School, however, missed out the boys’ volleyball bronze after they went down 3-2 to Rwanda’s Don Bosco Gatenga. 

In handball, Kamusinga recaptured their title following their 24-22 victory against St Joseph’s Kirandich. It was sweet revenge for Kamusinga who had relinquished their national crown to Kirandich in Kisumu last month.

Kamusinga were in a celebratory mood having recovered from the 2017 and 2018 loses in finals to Ugandan side Kibuli Secondary School.