The boys’ volleyball competitions promises to go a notch higher as strong newbies join long-time adversaries in the hunt for honours when the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Term Two B Games throw off on Monday in Nyeri.
Kangundo, Waa (boys) and Passenga Girls are set to spice up the games which have featured a bunch of schools over the time.
East Africa champions Malava, reigning national winners Cheptil, 2013 holders Hospital Hill and Tetu have maintained excellence in their regions and have participated at the national stage for over four years. Sengera SDA on the other hand will be seeking to grab a place as a regular at the national arena after reaching the semifinals on their debut in 2016. Kangundo Boys have been drawn in Pool ‘A’ alongside Malava, Hospital and Waa Boys. The second group pits Tetu, Sengera SDA, champions Cheptil and a team from North Eastern.
Malava’s head coach Shadrack Tovoko noted that his charges are hungry for top honours, especially after the emotional loss to arch rivals Cheptil last year in Kisumu. However, he admits that it won’t be easy as competition is going to be tougher in Nyeri. “We are good to go. The boys have what it takes to reclaim the title and we will stick to our strategies of play but at the same time tackle one match at a time,” said Tovoko.
“That said, we have to approach the newcomers with caution. Any team which qualifies for the nationals is not a weak side, but we will especially be on our guards against teams like Kangundo and Waa. They are all good sides and this can only promise an entertaining tournament,” added Tovoko.
In the absence of the 2016 national and East Africa holders AIC Kosirai, record 21-time winners Lugulu and two-time holders Kwanthanze lead the chase for the title. The two are grouped with Sega Girls and a team from North Eastern in Pool ‘A’.
But after dethroning former national champions Tetu (girls) at the Central Region Games, debutants Passenga will be out to showcase their talents in Nyeri. They are in Pool B’ together with St. John’s Kaloleni (Coast), Cheptil (Rift Valley) and 2016 finalists Soweto Academy.