Rising Stars MVPs Onyango, Kitaru relish the honour

Beaten boys’ finalists Barding High’s Arnold Onyango was crowned the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, as the curtains fell on the 2016 Airtel Rising Stars/Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) national games in Kisumu over the weekend.

Nginda Girls’ striker Christine Kitaru, was named the Best Female Player after guiding her team to a third-placed finish in a performance that has earned her a call-up to national team, Harambee Starlets.

Onyango, 15, told Citizen Digital he was surprised by the recognition.

“I was not expecting this, the tournament has been very competitive and there are very good players here, even in my team.

“I think discipline and composure has earned me this, but it the team-work that counts most. It is encouragement to me bearing in mind it was my debut national’s tournament,” the Form Two student said.

“I owe a lot to my coach George Owoko, I bet no school in Kenya is enjoying the quality of coaching we are getting from him. He identified me in 2014 while I was in class eight at Asulma Centre in Kariobangi, Nairobi.

“He took me to Barding where football dreams are made real. This challenges me to work harder ahead of East Africa Secondary School Games,” the vice captain who adores Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta added.

The midfielder scored a single goal in the tournament, and believes despite losing to Laiser Hill in the post match penalties his school can go on and win the regional games in Eldoret.

 -Starlets Trials-

Besides being honoured as the girl of the tournament, 16 year-old, Form Three student was assured of a place in the national side.

According to Football Kenya Federation Vice-president Doris Petra, Kitaru and Wiyeta’s Judith Musimbi will join Starlets for trials as soon as the team returns to camp to prepare for the November’s Africa Women Cup of Nations.

“We have had four coaches scouting for us here since the beginning of the tournament, we have several players we identified but for the two, I can confirm they will called for trials,” Petra revealed.

“We are very happy with the standards of the game showed here, and every talented player has an opportunity in the national team. We want to partner with the Secondary Schools Sports Association as a federation to see how we can take this further,” she added.

Earlier on, Kitaru told Citizen Digital her sights were set on breaking into the national team.

“I watch the team playing and I feel I can offer it much. I was at Kasarani when they played Algeria and saw I could really fit in the team. Given an opportunity I will not disappoint,” the Thika Queens player underscored.

She is a gifted sprinter too, having reached the school games nationals last year in the 100m and 200m races.