New champions shake up the order at School Games

New champions emerged from what was an intensely competitive High School championship in Mombasa with only three teams able to retain their titles.

New teams rose to claim the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National crowns in disciplines including Rugby 15s, Rugby 7s, Girls’ hockey, Girls’ Basketball and Girls’ Handball.

Buruburu caused a monumental shock in the Girls’ basketball category when they broke Kaya Tiwi’s three-year hold of the crown to win their first title in 19 years following their epic 43-41 victory in the final.

Kirandich Girls also completed a dream run at the annual competition by clinching their maiden National handball title after defeating holders Moi Girls Kamusinga 17-13 in final.

Other new champion were St. Cecilia Misikhu who defeated their hosts St. Johns Kaloleni in the battle of Saint by 2 goals to 1 as former champions Trans Nzoia Mixed were eliminated at the regional games.

Rift valley’s Laiser Hill defended their boy’s basketball title as St Anthony’s Kitale and St Luke’s Kimilili also safe guard their boys Hockey and handball titles respectively.

For the first year since the merging of Rugby 7’s and 15’s new champions were also announced as Upper hill defeated their hill counterparts Laiser while  Kakamega thrash Dagoreti high for the 15’s title.

Rift Valley Region retained their overall title after emerging tops with 106 points, six more than second-placed Western.

Nyanza were third with 80 points while Nairobi and Eastern finished fourth and fifth with 74 and 64 points.

Central (62), hosts Coast (60) and North Eastern, who garnered six points, finished sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Rift Valley and Coast Region won the overall athletics and swimming titles.

Action now shifts to Kisumu County for this year’s KSSSA term two National Games in Soccer, Volleyball, Netball and Racquet Games.