Barding High stripped of Nyanza football title

Kisumu Day and Boarding School has won its appeal against Barding Boys High School’s Under-19 victory in the 2019 Nyanza Region secondary schools games finals played on 22 June.

Following the nullification, Kisumu Day will now present the region in the national secondary schools’ games later this month.

According to a letter from the Kisumu County Director of Education seen by Citizen Digital, Barding Boys High school was found guilty of falsifying the details and documents of its player Anton Oyugi registered under admission number 6602.

This landmark ruling is a culmination of a two-week case launched by Kisumu Day games Booker Odhiambo whose earlier efforts saw title hopefuls St Charles Lwanga Gesero tossed out of the competition at the semifinals stage for also fielding an ineligible player.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, a delighted Mr. Booker termed the appeal win as “justice that has been served.”

“In my sports life, I appeal when I feel there is something wrong and also that I have enough evidence to support my case.” He observed.

He says the vice is widespread in the country given the various complains he has received from other teachers. He also added that this groundbreaking ruling would inspire honesty in school games in the future.

“It is not in the region alone, but other parts of the country as well. Many teachers from different parts of the country have given me evidence of some teams that always field ineligible players.

“This ruling is important, and I think it has set a good example on how the vice can be tackled. For instance, teams will now know that it is wrong to field overage players.” He added.

Having had to win the regional title through two consecutive appeals, Mr. Booker has rallied other education stakeholders to join hands in fighting cheating in sports.

“This is very embarrassing not only to the schools but also to their principles as well. They are the ones that have been authorizing these players to represent them.

“Teachers should learn to play according to the rules of the game.” He observed.

He says that people are aware of the problem, only that they are afraid of taking it on.

“Many stakeholders are aware of this vice, and they are afraid of complaining. Two of the teams that we kicked out through appeals had cases in their regions that were not addressed.

“I believe this is an unfortunate case where some schools are seen as sacred. Both Gesero and Barding had cases before, but no other bothered to address that.” He remarked.

He, however, says the wait for the ruling did not stop them from training for the national extravaganza given the compelling evidence that he had provided as proof for his case.

“We have been training before the ruling was made because I was sure our appeal could go through successfully. The evidence was watertight.” He said.

Kisumu Day will join other winners in representing the Nyanza Region in the national games slated for Kisumu County later this month.

Qualified teams from the lake region 2019

Soccer Boys Under-19 Kisumu Day and Boarding (after appeal).

Soccer Girls U16- Ugari and Kobala

Soccer Boys U16- Agoro Sare

Volleyball Girls- Sega

Volleyball Boys- Mogonga

Netball- Nyakach Girls

Soccer Boys U19- Barding

Soccer Girls U19- Nyakach Girls and Gesero