Time for Maseno to seek revenge

In 2014, Maseno School were national and East Africa rugby kings. Last year, they lost both titles and now they want them back.

It has been one long year out in the cold for Maseno and they seem to have their minds made up; "We want our titles back." They have vowed.

Perhaps heeding to the wise counsel of the late American Jockey Bill Shoemaker, who said that when you are riding, only the race in which you are riding is important. Maseno coach Gilbert Onyango is focused on the task at hand.

"We have been preparing well for these games.Our eyes are focused on the national and East Africa titles. But for now, a conquest at the Lake Region games is more important for us. We intend to play one game at a time, but we must do it right to qualify for the national games. I know it is not going to be a walk in the park," Onyango said.

Onyango added that even after losing the prestigious titles to Laiser Hill Academy, they have learnt their lessons.

"We carried home valuable lessons and going into this year's competition. We will use our previous losses as a stepping stone. We have learnt from them and we are ready to move on. Consistency and doing it right in all aspects of play will see us through."

Maseno relinquished their title after losing 12-13 to Laiser in last year's national final. They also let go their East Africa title after losing 14-0, yet again, to Laiser Hill Academy.

Maseno begin their Lake Region title defence in pool A that also comprises Sawagongo from Siaya and Nyambaria from County. Group B has hosts St Mary's Yala, Mbita, Nyabonda and Kanga.

While Maseno's rugby team will be toiling to get their titles back, the school's basketball team should not have much problems qualifying for the national games.

Maseno, who are the national basketball champions after defeating Upper Hill 46-45, are in group B with Ambira, Kanyawa and Homabay. Group A has Kisumu, Yala, Itierio and Ekonyoro.

Lake Region girls' basketball champions St. Mary's Mabera will seek to maintain the status quo and improve on their third-place finish at the national games last year.

They are in group A with Asumbi, Ng'iya, and Itierio. Pool B has Barchando, Ulanda, Sironga and Sinyolo.

In hockey, East Africa queens Sinyolo Girls will go for nothing less than extending their Lake Region supremacy. They are in pool A together with Lwak Girls and Sengera, while group B has Nyamira, Kisumu Nyabisawa and Asumbi.

Sinyolo's coach Alloise Owino is confident his girls will defend the regional title as they seek to win the national title.

"We have trained well and my girls are determined to succeed where we have failed in the last two years. We have to win here first before thinking of how we will perform at the national games."