Hosts Kericho charge to Teachers’ College Games finals

Hosts Kericho qualified for the finals of the men Netball competition as the Kenya Teachers’ Training Colleges Sports Association 2017 Annual Inter Collegiate National Ball Games Championships entered their homestretch.

Kericho Teachers booked the ticket after beating Asumbi from Nyanza 27-24 in the semis.

They will lock horns with Kamwenja from Central who floored Egoji 38-26 with the beaten semi-finalists facing off in the third and fourth play-off.

In the men’s handball semis Kericho once again booked a place in the decider after beating Meru (Eastern) 19-13 in the last four with Eregi also punching their ticket by overwhelming Kamwenja 32-27.

In the men football semis, Tambach from Rift Valley region blanked Kigari from Central 3-1 in a thrilling encounter played at the Kericho Teachers ’College ground.

Robert Baraza, Felix Kipkogei and Alfred Omondi were on the score sheet for the victors with Fredrick Kapsoo netting the consolation for Kigari.

Tambach will meet Asumbi in the finals.

-Opening ceremony-

Earlier during the opening ceremony of the Games, the Deputy Director of Education Emis Njeru urged the association members to take sports seriously in a bid to up the game.

She said the curriculum which is being developed by the ministry of Education is for co-curriculum activities and called on the association to be prepared to embrace it since it goes along in developing talents among children while in schools.

“We are out to ensure talents are nurtured in sports sector and other areas and it is through you that we will achieve this. So encourage learners to be prepared to pursue their talents while in schools,” she added.

In the opening football men encounter, Kilimabogo from Central blanked hapless Bura from Coast region 5-1.

Dennis Khalwale notched a double as Geoffrey Onjuma, Emanuel Tonui and Najoma Sam also found the target for the winner with Bura notching their goal from the spot through Elisha Ngari.

In the women football, Asumbi from Nyanza beat Murang’a 2-1 in another game staged at the same venue. The victory could have gone either way since both teams appeared had equal strength and football tricks.

Velma Omondi netted the first goal in the 16th minute before Esthitareh Sarah equalized for in the 44th. Joyce Oketch grabbed the winning goal in the 54th.

In Volley Ball Women, Tambach from Rift Valley region proved their prowess by beating Kamagambo from Nyanza 4-1 (17-25, 19-25, 29-27 and 16-25).

-Report by Kimutai Kering in Kericho