Defending Nyanza region 7s champions St. Mary’s Yala are keen to retain their title when the regional championship starts on Thursday at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho in Kisii County.
Yala coach George Kerima said: “The regional competition is always very competitive but we have trained and we are ready to take on any team.”
He added: “Our target this year is to go for the East Africa Games in Uganda in August. The boys are in high spirits and are confident they will make us proud. I want to thank the school management for supporting the team.”
In the draws released by Nyanza Region Secondary Schools Sports Association secretary, Tom Odhiambo, Yala is in Pool ‘A’ alongside St Paul’s Gekano and hosts Cardinal Otunga, Mosocho.
Former champions Maseno School will square it out with debutants and Kisumu County rivals Otieno Oyoo and Gendia from Homa Bay.
Pool ‘C’ will see former champions, Agoro Sare, face favourites Friends School Anjego and debutants Nyakongo High.
Defending 15’s champions Kisii School, Sawagongo and St. Joseph’s Rapogi will square it out in pool ‘D’.
Anjego coach and Principal J.J Masime said he wants to upset the formbook and lift the regional title. “We are underdogs but we hope to pull major upsets,” said Masime.
Girls’ rugby will feature in the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) calendar for the first time.
According to the draws, Nyakongo, Enkinda and St Anne’s Nyangoge will battle it out in Pool ‘A’ while Pool ‘B’ will feature Nyakach Girls, Bishop Okoth Ojolla, and Bishop Okullu Magare.
Friends School Anjego, Asumbi Girls and Rangenyo Girls were drawn in Pool ‘B’ while Nyagichenche Mixed, Sidindi, and Kamagambo Day are in Pool ‘D’.
Nyagichenche coach Dennis Onyango said: “I introduced this game in the school this year and we emerged county champions. At the regional extravaganza, some teams started playing this game a few years ago but I’m not afraid of them. My target is to win the regional trophy.”