Kenyan teams have been handed tough draws for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School games scheduled for Arusha, Tanzania from Saturday.
Boys’ football champions Ebwali are in Pool ‘B’ where they will face off with regional winners St Mary’s Kitende from Uganda, Katoro SS from Tanzania and Uganda’s other representative, Budo SS.
Kenya's Highway Secondary will play against Kiwira Coal Mines from Tanzania, ES Gasiza from Rwanda, St Andrew’s Kaggwa and Kibuli SS both from Uganda in Pool ‘A’.
Ebwali and Highway will be making their debut at the regional showpiece. Ebwali edged Highway 1-0 to lift the national title in Nakuru.
In girls’ football, Wiyeta will be seeking their sixth regional title. Wiyeta will face Ugandan sides St Noa Girls and Amus College School as well Isevya SS from Tanzania.
Kenya’s other representatives, Dagoretti Mixed will battle holders Kawempe Muslim from Uganda, IP Mukarange from Uganda, Alliance SS from Tanzania and Sacred Heart from Gulu in Uganda in Pool ‘B’.
Wiyeta coach Edgar Manyara said: “This is our year. We are going to Tanzania for our sixth East Africa title because we have prepared for it.”
Newly-crowned boys’ basketball champions Dr Aggrey were drawn against regional champions Buddo SS from Uganda and Tanzanian sides Nsumba and Trust St. Patrick’s.
Dagoretti High are in Pool ‘B’ where they will face Juhudi SS from Tanzania, Lycee De Kigali from Rwanda and Uganda’s Bethel Covenant and St Cyprian Kyabakadde.
In the girls’ category, Kaya Tiwi face a Herculean task against Uganda’s St Mary’s Kitende and Budo SS as well as Kibasila from Tanzania in Pool 'A'.
In Pool ‘B’ Kenya’s other representatives Olympic will battle it out against Tanzania’s Orkeesa SS, Lycee De Kigali from Rwanda, Uganda’s Nabisunsa and defending champions St Noa Girls.
Hockey will be played in a round-robin format where Kenya’s Friends School Kamusinga will seek to defend their title. They, however, face stiff competition from fellow Kenyans champions St. Antony's Kitale, Mbarara, Arusha Meru International School, Ntare School and Kakungulu Memorial.
In the girl’s category, Mount St. Mary's Namagunga, St. Mary's Tachasis, Trans Nzoia Mixed and Kakungulu Memorial will face off.
In the absence of 2019 winners Upper Hill School, a new champion will emerge in rugby 7’s where Kenya's Koyonzo and Butula will battle Jinja SS, Hanna International, Ntare School and Elerai SS.
Kenya will not field a team in rugby 15’s where Makerere College School, Elerai SS, Namilyango College, Kings College and Buddo will face off.
Uganda won the overall title during the previous edition held in Arusha, Tanzania. However, Kenya will be keen to reclaim the title. Kenya will hope to extend their dominance in athletics.
Meanwhile, 3x3 basketball has been introduced in this year’s event. Kenya will not field rugby 15’s teams in this year's event.
