Schools: St Anthony’s cheerful ahead of East Africa games

Upper Hill's Elisha Ogacha (right) tackles Domnick Simiyu (left) and Kim Webi of St Anthony in their final match during Kenya Secondary Schools Term 1 games at Nairobi School on Saturday, April 15, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Five-time regional boys’ hockey champions St Anthony’s Kitale are itching to complete a double at this year’s Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association games that begin on Sunday in Musanze, Rwanda.

The national champions will be on a mission to reclaim the title they last won in 2015 in Huye, Rwanda.

St Anthony’s coach Kelvin Lugalia says the regional title has eluded them in the past two years and their aim is to regain it.

“We have been qualifying for the East Africa games but failed to win the title in 2016 and 2017. It has also been long since we won both the national and East Africa titles in the same year and the boys are yearning to make it happen,” Lugalia said.

St Anthony’s will bank on forward Brian Ogenche as well as defender Augustine Mburu for glory in Rwanda.

Others who will be on the forefront of St Anthony’s campaign are striker Rawlings Sikolia, midfielder Basil Wamalwa and defender John Benaia, who were all instrumental in their triumph at the national games.

As it has been the norm, the battle for the East African crown will be a tight contest among the Kenyan sides.

St Anthony’s will have to overcome Upper Hill, who they beat 2-1 to retain the national title as well as Musingu, who finished third at the nationals.

Nonetheless, Kenyans will also be wary of Ugandan teams. Last year St Anthony’s finished third behind winners Kisumu Day. [Elizabeth Mburugu]