Athletics will be the highlight of Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) when Eldoret hosts the regiona eveny rom Auust 28 to September 4.
The event will be held one week after the completion of the Olympics in Rio. Eldoret will again come alive after for hosting regional games after successfully hosting the national trials at the Kipchoge Keino stadium in late June and early July.
According to the local organizing Committee (LOC) led by Mau Region chairman Kipchumba Maiyo, the home of champions is looking forward to welcoming young athetes from the region.
The hosts will be represented by over 40 schools in all sporting events that include racquet, football, volleyball, seven-a-side rugby and 15s, basketball, among others against their rivals from neighbouring countries.
Kenya scooped 25 medals to win the regional title when the games were held in Rwanda last year.
“We are going to defend our title by adding many medals in the championships because we are playing at home. As LOC, we want to do our best to ensure that we don’t disappoint home fans who will come to cheer our Kenyan team,” said Maiyo who was chairing the LOC at Kapsoya Secondary School on Friday.
Maiyo added that Kenya teams will arrive first on August 20 to pitch tent in Eldoret before the games start on August 28 and end on September 4.
Best facilities in the county
Maiyo, the Principal of Kapsabet boys in Nandi County said that the county has the best facilities to host the games and they have been approved by both the FEASSSA and Ministry of Education officials.
“Our facilities have been approved to be of the best standards. Preparations this time has gone a notch higher. We have ensured various venues are in good condition. This is an opportunity, not just for the players region but for the fans. We want to do better at home compared to what we did in Rwanda last year,” concluded Maiyo.
Mau Region, which consists of eight counties, is set to dominate in athletics, which has been the region’s pride.
Cheptil boys will represent the country in volleyball boys and Cheptil girls in handball, Moi High School Sirgoi will compete in rugby 15s, AIC Kosirai will fly volleyball girls’ flag while St. Peter’s Chesirikwo is expected to shine in handball boys.
Kipchoge Keino stadium will host track and field events, lawn tennis and basketball will be played at Moi Girls, Eldoret, swimming and table tennis will be at Testimony School while Rugby - both 7s and 15s - will be played at Eldoret Sports Club.
Football will be staged at Hill and Wareng School, Gulab Lochab club will host badminton, while hockey, netball and volleyball will be staged at Eldoret Polytechnic.
Kenyan representatives
Basketball
Boys: 1. Upper Hill (Metropolitan), 2. Alliance (Metropolitan), 3. Kapenguria (Nzoia); Girls: 1. Kaya Tiwi (Coast), 2. Buruburu (Metropolitan), 3. Barchondo (Lake); Netball: 1. Kaya Tiwi (Coast), 2. Obambo (Lake), 3. Cheptil (Mau); Rugby 15's: 1. Bungoma High (Nzoia), 2. Moi Sirgoi (Mau), 3. Kakamega High (Nzoia); Rugby 7's: 1. Laiser Hill (Metropolitan), 2. Upper Hill (Metropolitan), 3. St. Peters Mumias (Nzoia); Hockey, Boys: 1. Friends School Kamusinga (Nzoia), 2. Upper Hill (Metropolitan), 3. St. Anthony, Kitale (Nzoia); Girls: 1. Sinyolo (Lake), 2. Tigoi (Nzoia), 3. Kerugoya (Aberdare); Handball, Boys: 1. Kimilili Boys (Nzoia), 2. Makongeni (Metropolitan), 3. St. Peter’s School, Chesirikwo (Mau); Girls: 1. Moi Girls Kamusinga (Nzoia), 2. Sega (Lake), 3. Matuu (Metropolitan); Soccer, Boys: 1. Laiser Hill (Metropolitan), 2. Barding (Lake), 3. Passenga (Aberdare), 4. Bukembe (Nzoia); Girls: 1. St. John's Kaloleni (Coast), 2. Wiyeta Girls (Nzoia), 3. Nginda Girls (Aberdare), 4. Nyakach (Lake); Volleyball, Boys: 1. Cheptil (Mau), 2. Malava (Nzoia), 3. Tetu (Aberdare), 4. Sengera (Lake); Girls: 1. Soweto (Metropolitan), 2. Lugulu (Nzoia), 3. AIC Kosirai (Mau), 4. Sega Girls (Lake).
