Kwale County shine as KYISA Games end in Kapsabet

Kwale County women have bagged both the football and volleyball titles at the fifth edition of the Kenya Youth Intra-County Sports Association (KYISA) games that came to a close Saturday in Kapsabet, Nandi County.

In football the ladies Kwale edged Nakuru 2-1 to successfully defend their crown in which they won in the last edition held in Makueni April this year.

In volleyball finals played at the Kapsabet Showground, Kwale edged Siaya 3-0 (25-11, 25-15 and 25-21) to register their maiden title after reaching quarters in the 4th edition.

Head coach Walter Kipchoge could not hide his delight after struggling to go past the latter stages in the previous editions.

“We are very happy to lift the trophy this time round, we have been working hard towards this and although we were not successful in the men category we thank God for the achievement,” said Kipchoge.

In men’s volleyball, defending champions Kirinyaga County retained their gong after thumping hosts Nandi 3-1 (17-25, 25-19, 25-23, and 25-19).

Interestingly, majority of the Kirinyaga players were drawn from Nandi and head coach Micah Lagat believes his team was the best in the tournament owing to their adequate preparations.

“The journey has been good for us since we prepared well although our fitness was a bit wanting we gradually improved over the games and we are happy to have retained the title,” Lagat said.

Elsewhere, Kakamega County are the new champions in football men after they beat Garissa1-0 in the finals.

The sole goal for Kakamega was scored by Wilfred Shiunwa in the seventh minute of the match and head Coach Fred Serenge alluded that the tournament has been tough owing to the strength of the opponents.

“This competition has not been easy as such from the group stages but we prevailed to clinch the title. My plea tight now is to our governor to support this team because their is a lot of talent in the youths,” Serenge said.

In basketball, a game which was being introduced for the first time in the tournament, Kisumu County bagged inaugural titles in the women and men categories.

In the volleyball playoffs that preceded the finals, Trans Nzoia beat Kwale 3-1 to clinch the bronze medal as Nakuru edged former Champions Makueni 3-0 in the ladies category.

The week-long tournament that brought together 18 Counties was officially closed at the same venue by Nandi County Deputy Governor Yulita Cheruiyot with the winner pocketing Sh100,000, runner ups Sh75,000 while the second runners up went home with Sh50,000.

The games were however marred various challenges with some teams raising protests over fielding of ineligible players which ultimately led to disqualification of the said teams.

The main aim of the annual tournament that targets the youths between 18-25 years is to nurture untapped talents in the grassroots in the flagship project dubbed ‘Talanta Mashinanai’.