Madende disqualified were regional games over cheating

Madende soccer boys’ team has been disqualified from the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association  (KSSSA) western region games set to kick off today at Kakamega High School. 

The games were to begin on Monday but were postponed by two days.

Madende were disqualified after being found culpable of having fielded an ineligible player. Busia Education office made the ruling after acting on claims by Bujumba over alleged irregularities by their opponents.

The player in question is said to have been at Madende High for barely two months contrary to the games’ rules and regulations that a player is eligible to represent his school three months from joining the institution.

Subsequently, Bujumba will represent Busia at the games as runners-up alongside champions John Osogo. Bujumba are in Pool A alongside  Vihiga Boys, Kibabii and Musingu while John Osogo are in Pool 'B' together with Emusire, Lukhuna, and Shanderema.

The disqualification is a big blow to Mandende who has been camping at Kenya Medical Training College for the past one-week courtesy of Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba.

The team had also received Sh25,000 from the CS after qualifying to represent the county at the regionals. Champions John Osogo Secondary School equally received the same amount.

Soccer ladies’ winners St Joseph’s Chakol and runners-up Katakwa pocketed Sh25,000 each. Other teams received Sh50,000 to share as match officials also pocketed Sh50,000 to share.

Ababu, who graced the finals of the county games at Nambale Boys High School a fortnight ago, said the training will boost the morale of the teams ahead of the regional games.

Bujumba, who used to feature at the regionals regularly until the departure of Principal Eric Otwane are traveling to Kakamega having not had intensive training and bonding like Madende and John Osogo have had. Bujumba will encounter Musingu, who are back to form after a couple of years.

They eliminated 14-time champions Kakamega Green Commandos at the county level. They are under head coach Brendan Mwinamo who guided Commandos to three national titles.

Other teams to represent Busia at the regionals include netball national defending champions Bumala AC and runners-up St Joseph’s Chakol.

Volleyball boys’ winners Sigalame and runners-up Butula and volleyball ladies’ winners Bumala AC and runners-up St Peter’s Busibi will also be representing the border county.

Rugby will be represented by champions Kolanya Boys, first runners-up St Mary’s Mundika Boys, second runners-up Butula, and fourth finishers Nambale Boys.