- Lugulu have since 2019 failed to rise to the occasion at the expense of AIC Korisai, Kwathanze from Eastern, Soweto of Nairobi and Kesogon.
- The school, which has qualified for nationals since 2016, have not come close to winning the title save for 2017
Image: EMOJONG OSERE
Results of the just concluded Arthur Odera Open Volleyball tournament at Malaba Stadium in Busia county a week ago cast thoughts, on whether the 21-time national volleyball champions, Lugulu Girls, have the arsenal that can restore their lost glory both at regional, national, and East Africa levels.
Lugulu, despite fielding two teams failed to rise to the occasion at the expense of rivals Bishop Sulumeti Girls, who reached the finals before losing to national champions Kesogon from Trans Nzoia in straight sets.
Lugulu’s inability to exhibit their prowess ahead of Term 2B games is a pointer that Bishop Sulumeti could upset the formbook when the two teams lock horns at the regional level to determine which team qualifies for the nationals from the Western region.
The former volleyball powerhouse at national and East African levels failed to make it to the nationals in June 2019 after they succumbed to fast-improving Bishop Sulumeti from Kakamega county in the regional games.
The most urgent thing for Lugulu Girls is to redeem their image by first qualifying for the nationals before clinching the national title to make it a record 22 times in the history of the school games and that of the institution that dates back to 1953 with excellent academic performance.
Lugulu’s last notable achievement was in 2009 when they last won the national and East African titles. Since then, they have failed to rise to the occasion at the expense of AIC Kosirai, Kwathanze from Eastern, Soweto of Nairobi, and the new kid on the block Kesogon.
Although they have clinched the East African title only once, in 2016, AIC Korisai have dominated the national scene qualifying for several finals after Lugulu plummeted to the chagrin of their ardent fans who have been forced to watch from the periphery.
Lugulu, who have qualified for nationals since 2016, have not come close to winning the title save for 2017 when they finished third after losing to AIC Korisai 3-1 in the semi-finals.
That aside, they have remained dominant in the national scene, winning the diadem between 1976 and 1980, 1982, 1986-1987, 1992-1999 and 2003-2010. Mukumu Girls are trailing Lugulu with six victories to their credit in 1983-1984, 1990, and 2000-2002, while AIC Kosirai have clinched the title four times – in 2015-2016, and 2017-2019.
Other previous winners of the Cup since its inception are Sing’ore Girls (1973), Rang’ala Girls (1974), St Brigid’s Kiminini (1975), Butere (1982), Namirama Girls (1991), Malava Girls 2011, Kwathanze (2013, and 2022), and Kesogon (2023).
Image: EMOJONG OSERE
Lugulu have also dominated the East African school games, winning it a record seven times between 2003 and 2009. Kwathanze have inscribed their name on the trophy five times in 2013-2014, 2017-2019, and 2023.
Other FEASSSA girls’ winners include Mukumu (2002), G.S Indangaburezi Rwanda (2010 and 2015), and 2016 (AIC Kosirai).
Kenyans remember with nostalgia the former mathematician and Principal of St Patrick’s Iten in the 1970s to mid-80s for the role he played in coaching the school volleyball team to become unrivaled in the game at the national level.
His efforts in coaching the team saw St Patrick’s Iten win the national title 17 times – in 1971-1984, 1987, and 1989-1990. The missionary’s departure dealt a big blow to the Saints, who were relegated to the periphery with no magic to recover their lost glory.
Their departure from the national scene saw the emergence of many schools in a bid to match their exemplary performance without much success as the Saints' record still stands today.
Only Cheptil have tried to match that unrivalled challenge. It has won, the national title five times in 2009, 2011-2012, 2016, and 2023. Malava Boys have equaled Cheptil’s magnificent feat, winning it in 2007-2008, 2010, 2015, and 2018.
Other past winners include Kiriti (1994-1995), Central region's Giakanja (1996), Kabiyet (1997), Afuthi (1998), Manor House (1999), Paul Boit (2001-2003), Tetu (2004), Kapsaos (2005), Samiti (2006), Hospital Hill (2013), Sang’ora (2017), and Mogonga (2019).
Malava Boys top the chart in FEASSSA games with seven victories since its inception in 2002. They won in 2003, 2007-2010, 2013, and 2016. Cheptil have won four times in 2011-2012, 2022, and 2023.
Other winners include Bokoli (2002), Kapsaos (2005), St Mary’s Kitende (2006 and 2014), Rusumo (2015 and 2017), St Joseph’s Rwanda (2018) and Stahiza (2019).