DRIBBLING TO NATIONAL GLORY: Journey to Term One finals nears end as Metro games begin

Metropolitan Region boys' basketball champions Upper Hill begin their title defence today against Muindi Mbingu at Laiser Hill Academy.

Also defending their regional titles are girls' basketball champions Parklands Arya, Laiser Hill Academy (rugby 15s) and Moi Girls Nairobi in girls' hockey.

While it would be a rather easy passage for the other three champions, Upper Hill know their nemesis Laiser Hill are waiting to pounce.

Upper Hill coach Ronald Omangi cautioned his players to be wary of their opponents, who are out to snatch the crown.

"Every team in the competition is seeking to crowned champions, which calls for us to be more vigilant and avoid unnecessary errors. My players are aware that every win counts. There will be no room for errors this time. We must be at our best, " he said.

They will be up against Machakos County champions Muindi Mbingu, who are also determined to leave a mark at the games and secure a slot to the national games in pool A. Ongata Senior of Kajiado County and Kikumini of Makueni are also in the mix in this group.

Group B has Kajiado' winners, Laiser Hill, who play Makueni Champions Kasikeu in their opening match, while Lukenya, who this year relinquished their Machakos crown, take on Nairobi County finalists St Austin's Academy.

Arya face Good Shepherd in their first pool A tie, while Moi Girls Isinya, finalists in Kajiado games, take on Mua Hills. Hosts Laiser Hill girls lead pool B and will bank on home support as they tackle Machakos champions Masii Girls. Buruburu play Kisingo of Makueni.

Laiser Hill, who are national and East Africa rugby 15s champions will be out to extend their supremacy when they meet Machakos County champions, Muvuti. Nairobi School will be happy to announce their return to Metropolitan games. They play Nduluku of Makueni County.

While Nairobi School will ride on its past triumphs, they should be wary of Nduluku, who ended Makueni Boys' dominance in County games. Nairobi County champions Upper Hill also return to the regional games hoping to excel. They play Kasikeu of Makueni County, while Kajiado's Nkaimurunya take on Masii Boys in another pool B match.

Moi Girls Nairobi take on Kajiado champions Entarara in their opening girls' hockey match in pool A. The second match in their pool will see Makueni's Barazani tackle Mitaboni ABC of Machakos.

Former champions St Joseph's Kibwezi take on Kiundwani, while debutants Parklands Arya face an acid test against Moi Isinya.

Nairobi County boys champions Hillcrest will take on Kathonzweni, while Tala High will play Oloolaiser in pool A. Upper Hill play Makueni boys in pool B.