Kenya runs the rule at East Africa School Games

Kenya runs the rule at East Africa School Games

Despite an underwhelming start to the 2018 East African Secondary School Games in Musanze, Rwanda, Kenya still shrugged off the initial rustiness to win the overall title after claiming 28 team medals; 10 gold, 8 silver and 10 bronze.

Uganda came a close second after bagging a total of 25; nine gold, 10 silver and six bronze while the hosts collected 16 medals with four of them gold, five silver and seven bronze.

The Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Associations (FEASSSA) president Justus Mugisha hailed the competition as “a huge success” only blighted by the withdrawals of three member states.

Tanzania and South Sudan cited financial constraints due to lack of government support for their withdrawals while Burundi’s participation was curtailed by the country’s sour diplomatic relationship with the host nation.

“The level of competition we have witnessed has been very impressive because going into the last no one was sure who was going to be awarded with the overall trophy.

“The teams have competed really well and no one had clear superiority over the other. Rwanda has also done very well as a host because of their organisation. They were ready in all spheres,” Mugisha told Citizen Digital.

Hosts Rwanda organised a glittering closing ceremony that featured a traditional dance troupe and an army band after Kenya had enjoyed mixed fortunes on the final day of the annual competition.

Kenyan champions Kwale Girls capped their sensational rise as a footballing force when they clinched the regional title, pipping Ugandan giants Kawempe 1-0 in the final with captain Elizabeth Katungwa scoring the winning goal.

In the boys’ volleyball final, another Kenyan champion Malava Boys suffered a 3-2 loss to hosts St Joseph while Kakamega High School and Kaya Tiwi won the boys’ football and girls’ basketball third-place playoffs.

Kenyan rugby sevens champions Laiser Hill were crowned East African champions for the first time in their history after completing a perfect run of seven wins in seven to top the round robin tournament.

Meanwhile, Kwanthanze Girls underlined their status as the East African volleyball queens when they swept apart hosts GS Indagaburezi 3-0 ( 25-22, 25-22 25-19) to clinch their fourth regional title.

Upper Hill won the boys’ rugby 15s title after winning all four of their round robin matches with their arch-rivals Kakamega High finishing second.

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kenya Rwanda uganda east African Secondary School Games Musanze overall title

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