Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Nairobi county 15-a-side rugby champions Ofafa Jericho open their title defence against St. Teresa on Saturday at home.
The holders are drawn in Pool 'A' alongside Aquinas and Embakasi Garrison in their preliminary matches before the knockout matches slated for next month.
The winner will represent the county in the Term One ball games scheduled for April in Machakos.
Coach James Kaili said they will focus on development and ensuring as many players get a chance to play the game.
“We aim to have individual champions who can continue doing well in rugby after high school and not have a championship team that wins every year.
"The trophies will be left in the school, but the most important thing is for the students to get good grades in class and have their rugby talent get them scholarships after school," he noted.
The tactician cited the cases of alumni and Kenya Simbas internationals Peter Karia currently based in Germany and who played for KCB, Max Kangeri who played for Homeboyz and Fidel Maina now at KCB.
Others are Wallace Kwasu now at at Memphis University, USA and Bill Omondi who played for Impala and now plying his trade for KCB.
"During the period they played for us, we never qualified for the nationals but it's the platform and programme we laid that has translated into being a competitive team in the last couple of years," observed Kaili
Last year's runners-up Upper Hill are the favourites in Pool B, where they meet Garden Estate, Moi Forces Academy and Mutuini High.
Resurgent Lenana take on Lanagta High, Muhuri Muchiri and Kangemi High in Pool C.
Dagoretti High School headline Pool 'D' and take on P. Kibukosya Secondary School, Eastleigh, and Ushirika Secondary.
Pool E will see Nairobi School, Hospital Hill, Sunshine Secondary and Kabete Vet Lab battle out. Jamhuri High, Our Lady of Fatuma, Kibra , and Highway complete Pool F.
Pool 'A' and 'F' fixtures will be played at Ofafa Jericho while Pool D and B will be played at Upper Hill. Pools C and E will be played at Lenana
The top two teams in each pool qualify for the quarterfinals slated for March 20. The semifinals are slated for March 22 and the final on March 23.
