Nairobi, Rift Valley shine as Rangala dominate in badminton

[Courtesy]

Ngolia Musembi lifted the national secondary schools lawn tennis trophy after emerging the best player in the 42-team competition.

Musembi, from Ngomeni Secondary School, beat Maxwell Kombo in the finals 5-3, 5-4 and 5-4 to triumph.

He defeated Alvin Kipkorir 4-1, 4-0, 4-0 in the semifinals.

Speaking to the Standard Sports after the victory, Musembi said he was happy and looking forward to represent Kenya with the same zeal at the East African Games, in Arusha, Tanzania.

“The matches were tough but the player that seemed more focused emerged the winner,” said the Coast-based student.

Musembi, Maxwell Kombo, Alvin Kiprop, Emitundo Lesley, Samuel Njoki and Bradley Emitundo will form the squad of 12 boys, who will compete at the regional games.

In the boys’ badminton, it was a Rangala Boys affair as Fabian Derick defeated his school mate Daniel Osondo to clinch the overall title with 24 points.

Fabian and Osodo both from Rangala will now join Mudit Srivastava, Bhavya Shah and Harshal Maradia from Oswal Academy, Boss Height and Nirek Pabbaraju from Premier Academy in the team to the Arusha championships.

Others are Brian Ongeshe, Aman Patel, Rishi Patel, Legin Sai and Jeremiah Mwendwa from St Joseph’s Kitale, Kisumu Senior, Thika High and Kabwareng High respectively.

In girls’ badminton, Rift Valley sealed six out of the 12 positions up for grabs in the East African games.

Naomi Wandili, Britney Misoy, Dorothy Melisa from Moi Girls Eldoret Sandra Naliaka and Metay Walumbe from St Joseph’s Girls Kitale will represent Kenya in the competition.

Thertha Vennemreddy won 2-0 against Metay Walumbe top clinch the badminton girl’s national trophy.