Schools: Kimilili vow to hang on to their national crown

Most Valuable player Dancun Kimutai of Kimilili boys during Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Term 1 National Brookeside games at Kangaru School, Embu County on Saturday April 14, 2018. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

When Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Term One games begin in Mombasa on Tuesday, focus will be on the handball pitch.

The centre of attraction will be the boys' Group B match pitting defending champions St Luke’s Kimilili and newcomers Mbooni Boys. As they battle for the national title, the two teams have one thing in common: with coach Gerald Juma, the man behind St Luke's Kimili's impressive shows.

Juma is undoubtedly the schools most decorated handball coach having led Kimilili to ten national titles and two East Africa trophies. But he joined Mbooni Boys and has already anchored them to their first national crown. As fate would have it, St Luke's Kimilili will usher Juma's Mbooni onto the national scene in the opening match.

Kimilili look determined to begin life without Juma on a high and retain their title. Wekesa Wangwa, the new coach, says: “We are adjusting in Juma’s absence because he was an asset to us. We are well prepared for the games and the boys are determined to defend the title and win our second title in a row. We still have most players from last year’s squad as only four finished school and they are eager to extend our reign,” Wangwa said.

He said his players were experienced and that is what inspires them to fight for a spot and defend the title. Last year’s national games most valuable player Duncan Kimutai and captain Douglas Wekesa will lead Kimilili.

Abednego Wenyaa, Jimmy Wenani, Elias Khisa, Allam Wafula and Joseph Wafula will also be key to their campaign. They will renew rivalry with Nyanza’s Kanyawanga in their second match before taking on North Eastern champions Garissa High in their last preliminary contest.

Juma said his charges will be on a learning mission and their first aim is to secure a last four slot. “I don't have a lot of expectations because my players are new to this level of competition. We are approaching the competition a step at a time so we can realize our aim to reach the semis. Once we achieve it, we will strategize for the knockouts,” Juma said.

He said success in school games needs a lot of patience. “I went to the national games in 1995 with Kamukunji but I had to wait for three years to play in my first final. Even so, I believe in the abilities of my players because they have what it takes to win 2019 title.”  

Saniak Saniak from Rift Valley, last year’s fourth place finishers of the Brookside-sponsored games will headline Group A, which has Nairobi's Hospital Hill, Coast's White House and Central’s Mangu High.