SCHOOLS: Agoro Sare, Lwak Girls reign supreme in Nyanza games

Agoro Sare players celebrate with the Nyanza Region football boys title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

All hail Agoro Sare High School and Lwak Girls High School.

Agoro Sare from Homa Bay County dethroned Kisumu Day to be crowned the new Nyanza Region Secondary School football champions, a feat that was marched by Lwak Girls from Siaya County, who dethroned Kobala Mixed Secondary School in girls' football final.

At the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) grounds where the boys' final was played, Agoro Sare had to take seven penalties to edge out Kisumu Day 7-6 and book their ticket to the nationals set to be held in Kakamega from August 7.

Agoro Sare goalkeeper Michael Omondi celebrates with fans after saving a title winning penalty against Kisumu Day during the Nyanza Region football finals.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Speaking after their victory, Agoro head coach Fredrick Akuku said they cannot wait to represent Nyanza at the nationals, as he promised to the title home.

"We have done it! Congratulations to the boys. It has been a tough journey which has been rewarded with a ticket to the nationals and now the work begins again. We are not going to be just participants but contenders who will be fighting for the title," said Akuku.

"Our objective right now shifts to qualifying for the East Africa games. We want to play with the best in Africa as we continue nurturing and exposing the football talents of Agoro Sare to the continent."

Benson Lomuria of Kisumu Day (left) in action against Agoro Sare.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu Day coach Booker Odhiambo rejected the results as he launched an appeal to the regional office citing unfair play from Agoro Sare.

According to the appeal letter seen by Standard Sports, Kisumu Day appealed against Agoro Sare for fielding an ineligible player whom they alleged played for Dagoretti High School last year as a Form Three and is again featuring for Agoro Sare as a Form Three, an occurrence that is against KSSSA constitution part 11(e).

By the time of going to press, the verdict of the appeal was yet to be determined by the jury of the regional games. The matter has since been pushed to the Nyanza Regional Education office for determination. 

Lwak Girls from Siaya celebrate with the Nyanza Region football title.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

In girls' football, Siaya County champions Lwak Girls dethroned Kobala Mixed to be crowned the new regional winners.

Lwak also had to wait until penalties to seal their title 2-0 after playing out to a 1-1 draw during the regular and extra time.

In volleyball, Nyakach Gilrs and Onjiko High School from Kisumu spiked themselves to victory and will be on the road to Kakamega for the nationals next month.

Onjiko thrashed God Bura 3-0 (25-15, 25,16, 25-14) while Nyakach Girls came from behind to win 3-1 (15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-8) against Nyakongo. Rorney Martin from Onjiko was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for boys while Ruth Muhingira, of Nyakach, was the girls' MVP.

Onjiko High School once again ruled the basketball arena after edging out rivals Agoro Sare 18-10 in basketball 3x3 while Ototo Mixed narrowly defeated Ngíya Girls 9-6.

Nyanza Region Secondary School Sports Association vice chairman Ngala Mbuor addresses the audience during the closing ceremony.[Washington Onyango,Standard]

Nyanza Region Secondary School Sports Association vice chairman Ngala Mbuor encouraged all Nyanza champions to embark on serious training and recovery sessions ahead of the nationals.

Mbuor, who is also the principal of St Patrick's Segere, urged Nyanza teams to exercise unity and sportsmanship in Kakamega.

"We have no losers in Nyanza. All teams that played at the regionals are champions, but it is the best teams that have come out on top and will be our face at the nationals. One love, because we are here to promote and nurture talents for the future and not fight amongst ourselves. You lose today but you will rise and conquer even more tomorrow."

"To the champions, the work has just begun. East Africa is the mark and you have to be on top of your games in Kakamega next month. We want more Nyanza teams to join Nyamira Girls and Manyatta (Term One) who qualified for East Africa set for next month," said Mbuor.

Nyanza Region Secondary School games champions

Football

Boys-Agoro Sare High School
Agoro Sare 0 (7-6) 0 Kisumu Day-Penalties
Girls: Lwak Girls 
Lwak Girls 1 (2-0) 1 Nyakach Girls

Rugby: St Mary's School Yala
St Mary's Yala 5-0 Maseno School

Volleyball:

Boys: Onjiko High School
Onjiko 3 (25-15, 25,16, 25-14) 0 God Bura
Girls: Nyakach Girls 
Nyakach 3 (15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-8)1 Nyakongo

Basketball:

Boys: Onjiko High School
Onjiko 18-10 Agoro Sare
Girls: Otoyo Mixed Secondary School
Ototo 9-6 Ngíya Girls High School

Netball: Oyugi Ogango 
Oyugi 40-37 Nyakach Girls