Kenyan teams have vowed to reclaim the boys’ basketball title at the Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Championships starting on Thursday in Kakamega.
The last Kenyan team to win the regional title was Upper Hill in 2013 in Lira, Uganda. Kenya’s hunt for the title will be spearheaded by national champions Dr. Aggrey, Laiser Hill Academy, Dagoretti High, and Lukenya Academy.
Dr. Aggrey, under the stewardship of Robert Aran and Dagoretti High, is in a tough Pool ‘A’ which also features East Africa champions Amus College (Uganda), I.T.S (Kigali), Lumala and Seeta High, also from Uganda.
Kajiado-based powerhouse Laiser Hill Academy are in Pool B alongside compatriots Lukenya Academy, Juhudi (Tanzania), Marie Reine Muhanga (Rwanda), Kibuli SS, and St. Cyprian HS Kyabakade (Uganda).
On Tuesday, Laiser Hill coach Anthony Kirimi dared their rivals and vowed to win the title on home soil. “We normally get stiff competition from Uganda and Rwanda.
However, last year, Tanzania’s Juhudi gave a good account of themselves,” said Kirimi. Last year, they lost 54-51 to hosts Amus College. Laiser Hill last won the basketball title in 2012.
“We have now gained some experience on how to win finals. We have been losing narrowly towards the end of games. This time, we hope to fight until the final whistle,” remarked Kirimi.
He added: “We are in a strong pool because the teams are regular campaigners at FEASSSA, except debutants Lukenya School, which is equally good. Every game in this pool will be like a final.”
Dagoretti High coach Hassan Kibagendi said their target is first to reach the semi-final. “We are better prepared for the championship as compared to last year. We are in what I call the ‘pool of death’ because it comprises national and East African champions. However, our focus is to finish number one or two so that we qualify for the semis,” added Kibagendi.
In the girls’ category, national champions Butere Girls, St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale, Kaya Tiwi, and Olympic Secondary will carry Kenya’s hopes for the title. St. Joseph’s Girls, Kitale, headlines Pool A, which also has compatriots Kaya Tiwi and defending champions St. Noa Girls from Uganda. Other teams are Uganda’s Kibuli SS and E.S.B. Kamonyi from Rwanda.
Butere Girls and Olympic Secondary are in Pool B, which also has Uganda’s St. Mary’s Kitende and Nabisunsa. Rwanda’s G.S. Gahini, Itigi Secondary, and Orkeeswa from Tanzania are also in the pool.
Butere Girls coach Chris Odeke and St. Joseph’s Girls’ Patrice Kisaka have vowed to lift the title. “Last year, we won the 3x3 title, but this time we are now focusing on the 5x5 title. We want this trophy to remain, but we must qualify from the group as number one,” said Odeke.
Kisaka added, “We have the home ground advantage. We are in difficult pools, but I know the teams. They are familiar foes.”
