Major clashes on offer as Rift Valley giants meet in games

Namwela Boys volleyball team in action against Cheptil in last year's national games. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Rift Valley Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two games are promising an adrenaline-packed action.

Sports giants are from today converging in Eldoret for major showdowns.

From volleyball giants, national volleyball champions Cheptil Secondary school, to football kings and queens making comebacks to the Rift Valley regional stage and to surprise teams, the stage has been set for thrillers.

Cheptil's principal and team manager Kipyego Ngetich said their boys are ready for the showdown.

“We are confident of winning the Rift Valley regional trophy in boys' volleyball, but we are not going to underrate our opponents,” said Ngetich.

“Last year, Burundi denied us the East African trophy and our dream this year is to qualify for the national games and from there, we will do our best and return to East Africa to redeem ourselves.”

Aside from boys' volleyball, Cheptili will also be in action in the girls' 3x3 basketball.

Their girls' volleyball squad is not at the regional games this year, leaving Kosirai Girls with the assignment of representing Nandi in Eldoret.

A football extravaganza is also in store as the best from Rift Valley assemble for glory at Hill School, Eldoret.

Eldoret-based Wareng High School, representing hosts Uasin Gishu, are returning to the regionals after six years.

Wareng will be taking on Narok, Nakuru and Elgeyo Marakwet in Pool D with St Joseph’s Kitale, which had a dramatic run to the regional games, playing against Baringo and West Pokot in Pool A.

St Joseph’s had beaten Bwake Boys 1-0 in a hotly contested match played at Chebisaas Boys in Uasin Gishu last week after days of controversies that caused abandonment of their matches in Trans Nzoia.

Before the finals, St Joseph’s had humiliated their archrivals St Anthony Boys 5-0 in a rematch of the semi-final, also staged in Uasin Gishu