East Africa Secondary Schools: Kamusinga eager to regain their trophy

Sega Secondary School's Cynthia Akinyi (left) Nyanza region representetive blocks Annet Barasa of Moi Girls Kamusinga from Western during KSSSA Term 1 National games at Kangaru School in Embu County on Saturday, April 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Deposed handball queens Moi Girls Kamusinga are itching to reclaim their rightful place at the helm of East Africa Secondary Schools.

The 2016 regional champions will be out to salvage their pride at this year’s regional games set for next week in Musanze, Rwanda.

The Kenyan’s relinquished their crown last year after suffering a 21-25 final defeat to perennial rivals Kibuli Secondary School from Uganda. Earlier on Kamusinga had also surrendered their national title to St Anne’s Sega after losing in the final played in Mombasa.

However, after a dull 2017 that saw them settle for second place nationally and regional, the two-time East Africa champions bounced back in style recapturing their national title and are now bracing themselves for the regional battle.

Kamusinga coach Godfrey Simiyu said that his charges are ready for any opponent and their aim it to repossess the East Africa title. “We are geared up for any of our opponents we have trained well and longer than we usual do and the girls are psyched are ready for the challenge. We embarked on preparations the games immediately after the nationals and the girls are in perfect form and rearing to go,” Simiyu said.

Simiyu added that this year’s contest will be one of the toughest and they expect stiff competition from their hosts as well the Ugandans who have been dominant in the sport. “We want to recapture the title but we must work hard for it because beating Rwandan teams at home is not easy. Kibuli will also be seeking to successfully defend their title and we can’t also underrate other Ugandan teams because they are very strong.”

Kamusinga launch their campaign in Group B against Kawanda and Mbogo High Schools of Uganda and ES Kirambo of Rwanda. Sega who won bronze last year are in Group A alongside defending champions Kibuli, and home girls Apega and E.S Gikonko.

Kamusinga’s hopes to excel will be in the hands of their starting six of Annette Barasa, Ruth Simiyu, Mildred Nyongesa, Faith Wanyonyi, Sylvia Matere and Naomi Wamalwa. Noel Nyongesa will be on standby to relieve her sister Mildred and teammates as they battle for glory.