Nduru Boys coach Lesley Samini is optimistic of a maiden Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association hockey title when the Term Two games begin on Wednesday morning.
The games at Kisumu School, Kisumu Day, Kisumu Girls, Kisumu National Polytechnic and Moi Stadium in Kisumu, will feature hockey, basketball, rugby 15s, handball, athletics and cross country.
The hockey matches will be played at Kisumu School and Samini believes they can go one step better after losing 1-0 to Maseno School in last year’s final.
“We were at par with them (Maseno) throughout the game but were unlucky to lose. We want to lift the title this time around,” said Samini.
“I believe we have a better team than last year. The competition will be stiff but my boys are ready. Former champions Kisumu Day is our biggest threat.”
Nduru beat hosts Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho, 2-1 on penalty flicks to retain the Kisii County title for the third consecutive year.
They are in Pool ‘B’ alongside Kanga High, Sawagongo and Ngere. Kisumu Day are in Pool ‘A’ alongside Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho and Ringa Boys.
Nduru will open their campaign against Siaya’s Sawagongo, face Ngere on Thursday and complete the group phase against Kanga School on Friday.
Kisumu Day launch their campaign to reclaim the title against Ringa Boys as Kanga battle Ngere. Champions Maseno fell at the Kisumu County championships.
In girls’ basketball, favourites Ng’iya Girls battle St Barnabas in the opener while debutants Mokomoni from Nyamira face a baptism of fire against Homa Bay champions Asumbi Girls.
On Tuesday, Ng’iya coach Naftali Ambala exuded confidence, saying: “We will take one game at a time. I rate Nyakach Girls and Tuk Jowi but we beat them by a wide margin during the Eliud Owalo tournament.”
In the boys’ category, two-time champions Onjiko School, coached by the principal Joseph Were, will start their title defence against St Joseph’s Rapogi from Migori County. Former champions and favourites Agoro Sare have a date with Nyanchwa Boys. Agoro Sare coach Paul Odok has vowed to reclaim the title they lost two years ago to Onjiko.
In girls’ hockey, last year’s losing finalists Angeng’a begin the championship with a tricky tie against debutants Rae Girls from Kisumu.
Ageng’a coach Alloys Owino said: “We lost narrowly to Nyamira Girls last year but we want the trophy now. We are up to the challenge.” Ageng’a from Nyatike, Migori County lost 1-0 to Nyamira Girls.
In girls’ handball, defending champions Miranga battle Nyamira Girls as last year’s losing finalists St Albert’s Ulanda play three-time Kisii County champions Ndonyo Mixed.
Boys’ handball defending champions Manyatta launch their title defence against last year’s finalists Orero Boys from Migori as Mbita High collide with Kanyamedha from Kisumu County.
The rugby 15s competition will kick off on Thursday with debutants Anjego Mixed, under the tutelage of principal and coach J.J Masime, facing a tough task against defending champions Kisii School.
Former champions Maseno School play St Paul’s Gekano as St Mary’s Yala clashes with Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho.
Cross country will be staged at Kisumu School on Thursday while athletics is scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
