Africa-Press – Kenya. East Africa champions St. Joseph’s Kitale will renew their rivalry against Nyathuna Secondary School in handball at next week’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One Games starting this weekend in Eldoret.
St Joseph’s will be seeking to retain the national title they won last year in Nakuru on their way to the East Africa championships in Tanzania. The Maurine Nelima-led charges will face Nyathuna from Central region, whom they beat in a Pool ‘A’ encounter at last year’s championships.
St Joseph’s, who beat Murinduko from Nakuru 33-28 to win the Rift Valley championships, open their title defence against Kaya Tiwi from Coast. Nelima said beating Murinduko gave the Kitale side the win over Murinduko gave them confidence that they can go all the way.
“We managed to beat Nyathuna last year and we shall repeat it this year. They are a worthy opponent but we shall do what we can to shine against them,” said Nelima.
At the Rift Valley finals last week, it took the champions two extra times to overcome Murinduko. In normal time, the teams drew 22-22, drew again at 27-27 in the first extra time before the Trans Nzoia county side bagged the title in 33-28.
In Pool ‘B’, Dagoretti Mixed from Nairobi will square it out with Dr. Charles School, former champions Moi Girls Kamusinga from Western and Nyanza’s Miranga Secondary.
In the boys’ category, East Africa finalists Kamito from West Pokot hope to win their maiden national title when they face off with Central’s Handege, Mbooni Boys from Eastern and Nairobi’s Hospital Hill.
Kamito, who beat their Trans Nzoia neighbours Nabunga 28-25, target an improvement on last year’s silver medal. Head coach Zakayo Korir said he is already counting his successes on what he failed to do as a student at the school; playing at the national championships.
“I will not get tired of coaching and training this team because I want the best from them. At the nationals, we have to improve from finishing second to winning the title,” said Korir. Pool ‘B’ has Tsangatsini Secondary from Coast, Musingu Boys from Western and Manyatta from Nyanza.
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