Golden crew that drove home the bullion in style

Kenya girls celebrates after beating Zimbabwe during the Coca -cola under 16 Africa Cup at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru on December 15, 2018.Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

High performing KSSSA crowns 2018 with double glory in Under-16 Copa Africa Cup.

It was a year of immense success for Kenyan students in sports arena. 

Under the guidance of Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), 2018 stood out as one of the most successful years as Kenyans retained the overall East Africa title. It got even sweeter as St Anthony’s Boys Kitale and Moi Girls Nangili ended the year on a high with double victory in the inaugural Copa Coca-Cola Under-16 Africa Cup of Nations. 

The year started with changes that saw the scrapping of Term Two A games which featured five disciplines in Under-16 football, handball, rugby 7s, netball and athletics following a directive by the Ministry of Education. This meant that KSSSA had to plan all their activities around Term One and Term Two B games now Term Two games. They pulled it off well moving handball and athletics to Term One while Under-16 football, rugby 7s and netball moved to Term Two games. 

Not even the congested calendar could stop KSSSA from executing their mandate as they began with a successful hosting of the Brookside Dairy-sponsored National Term One Games at Kangaru School, Embu. Prior to the games, KSSSA had signed a five-year sponsorship deal with the milk processor which will run until 2022. 

The Term One games did not disappoint with newcomers Sigalame High School and Butere Girls causing ripples on the basketball court. The duo from Western Region stole the show as they gave regulars and champions Laiser Hill and Kaya Tiwi a run for their money. They both finished second qualifying for the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games on their first attempt. 

Moi Girls Kamusinga reclaimed their girls handball title from perennial rivals St Ann’s Sega while St Luke’s Kimilili returned to the nationals after a year's absence and salvaged their boys' crown. Rift Valley’s St Anthony’s and Trans Nzoia Mixed were crowned boys and girls hockey champions. Upper Hill won their maiden national rugby 15s title in sudden death against Menengai High School. 

Eldoret came to life with the hosting of the national Term Two games in different venues. Just like Term One games there were upsets with debutants Olbolsat thrashing former national and East Africa boys Under-19 football champions St Anthony’s 3-0 in the semis to book their ticket to the Rwanda for the regional games. Kakamega High School reclaimed their title ending a three-year trophy drought while the girls gong was won by Kwale Girls. 

Laiser Hill side shocked many when they downed all their opponents to win the national rugby 7s trophy. They would go ahead and stage a repeat a repeat performance in Musanze, Rwanda completing a double. With most of their key players having finished Form Four in 2017, Laiser Hill did not pose any threat prior to the competition but they made a statement as they left their opponents, including the-then East Africa champions Muhuri Muchiri, giants St Peter’s Mumias and Chavakali High School, hurting. 

In August, Kenyan students shook off stiff competition from their Uganda and Rwandan opponents to win the overall regional title. Kenya extended their dominance in hockey, the longer and shorter versions of rugby, girls volleyball and football, tennis and swimming. St Anthony’s and Trans Nzoia, Upper Hill, Laiser Hill, Kwanthanze and Kwale Girls were crowned champions in hockey, rugby 15s, rugby 7s, volleyball and football champions. 

Recently, St Anthony’s made Kenya proud when they triumphed over 11 other nations to win the boys Under-16 Copa Coca-Cola Africa Cup of Nations in Nakuru. Moi Girls Nangili beat Zimbabwe twice to win the girls' trophy. KSSSA successfully hosted the inaugural event and also prepared the two sides for success.