The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) have released the draws for the Term One games with boys’ basketball champions Dr Aggrey drawn in the ‘group of death'.
The games will be held at Hill School in Eldoret from April 22 to 30.
Dr Aggrey will face Nyanza giants Onjiko School, former champions Laiser Hill and representatives from the North Eastern region in Pool ‘B’ according to the draws released on Tuesday.
Pool ‘A’ is equally tricky with Nairobi’s Dagoretti High, Lukenya School, Friends School Kamusinga and Thika High School battling it out.
Defending girls’ champions Kaya Tiwi headline Pool ‘A’ alongisde Western region champions Butere Girls, Nyanza’s Ototo Mixed and representatives from the North Eastern region.
Kaya Tiwi coach Phillip Onyango said: “The draw is fair. For you to lift the national title, you have to beat all your opponents. All the teams are tough since they are the champions from their respective regions.”
Pool ‘B’ will have Clay International School, Loreto Limuru, St Joseph’s Kitale and Our Lady of Mercy.
In the absence of Kakamega High School, new champions will emerge in rugby 15s. Rift Valley champions St Patrick’s Iten, Mangu High, Ofafa Jericho are drawn in Pool ‘A’.
Nyanza champions Kisii School will make their debut in Pool ‘B’ against St Anthony’s Kitale, Kwale High School and western regions Butula Boys.
Kisii School coach Lee Aston said: “The two pools are tough because all the teams are regional champions and we, therefore, expect a highly competitive tournament.”
Boys’ hockey defending champions St Anthony’s Kitale will face an acid test against Maseno School Meru School and Nairobi School in Pool ‘A’.
Maseno coach Phillip Odhiambo said: “It’s a good draw for us. We have played against St Anthony’s this year and they know how difficult it is to beat us.”
Pool ‘B’ has Kapsabet Boys, St Charles Lwanga, Mangu High and Musingu Boys.
In the girls’ category, favourites St Joseph’s Kitale, St Charles Lwanga, Hillcrest School and Nyamira Girls will battle it out in pool ‘A’ while Tigoi Girls are the favourites in Pool ‘B’ where they have been drawn alongside Afraha Secondary, AIC Nyayo Girls and Loreto Limuru High School.
The main venue, Hill School, will host handball and hockey while basketball and swimming will be staged at Nova International School. Eldoret Sports Club will host rugby while athletics will be held at Moi Girls Eldoret.
POOLS
Handball Boys: Pool ‘A’: Handege Secondary, Kamito, Mbooni Boys, Hospital Hill; Pool ‘B’ Tsangatsini Secondary, Musingu Boys, North Eastern representatives, and Manyatta Secondary
Handball Girls: Pool ‘A’: North Eastern team, Kaya Tiwi Secondary, St Joseph's Girls-Kitale and Nyathuna Secondary; Pool ‘B’: Dagoretti Mixed, Dr. Charles Secondary, Moi Girls Kamusinga, Miranga Secondary
