Ten-time winners and hosts St. Mary’s School will be seeking to recapture the title they last won in 2011 during the 38th edition of the Blackrock festival on Saturday.
Coach Gregory Sang, who doubles up as the event coordinator, said he expects a very competitive tournament.
Teams have had a lot of time to prepare, rebuild and test their squads since the resumption of Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) games following a two-year Covid-19 break.
“We expect stiff competition from the defending champions, Rift Valley Academy as well as the reigning Prescott Cup champions Ofafa Jericho. The two sides have been very strong over the past year. We are definitely not writing off All Saints from Embu as they were a surprise package in last year’s edition of the tournament,” said Sang.
“It is a long shot for us to emerge as champions as we are still building our squad. However, I expect the boys to put up a good show. The training has been quite intense but measurable for the younger players that are getting into the sport,” he added. Saints will miss the services of their talisman, fly-half Kinyua Waiyaki who is out injured.
Last year, Rift Valley Academy edged Strathmore School 21-14 in the final to claim their eighth title in the competition.
This year’s edition will be played in a 10-a-side format after last year’s 7-a-side. The old version of 15-a-side is set to make a return next year.
The opening match will see RVA commence their title defence when against Moi Forces Academy while the Saints play against RVA II at 10am.
The one-day competition is set to attract many lovers of the sport as tickets will retail at only Sh100 for students and Sh200 for adults.
