Sports

Volleyball, handball and boys’ hockey national champions in hunt for gold

Friday, August 23rd, 2019 00:00 | By
Jimmy Weboli of St Luke’s Kimilili and Sam Mugabo of College Gisenyi during a handball match at the East Africa Secondary School Games in Arusha, Tanzania yesterday. Photo/PD/LYNETTE MATHEKA

Lynette Matheka in Arusha

It is do-or-die for Kenyan teams that have qualified for the finals of various disciplines at the ongoing East Africa Secondary School Games in Arusha, Tanzania as the country fights to defend its overall title. 

Volleyball and handball girls will witness an all-Kenyan final. Volleyball national and East Africa holders Kwanthanze face Cheptil in a repeat of the national final while Kirandich and Moi Girls Kamusinga will also lock horns for the handball title for the second time in a month.

Kwanthanze beat local rivals Soweto 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-12) in the semi-final to keep their perfect run going as they are yet to concede a set while a Stephen Mutai-coached Cheptil dropped one set to win 3-1 (25-20, 21-25, 25-10, 25-12) against Rwanda’s St Alloys to book the other final slot.

The two sides played to a five-set thriller in the national showpiece and Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari says service and blocks were their biggest undoing. “We have since worked on that and we are looking to win the title, our fifth and third consecutive without dropping any set,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kirandich, who are making their debut at the regional level, are looking to clinch a double even as they face two-time East Africa champions Kamusinga.

Kirandich had to fight harder for the final slot as their semi-final match headed to extra time after a 16-16 draw with Rwanda’s ES Kiziguro. They went on to win 22-20. Kamusinga won 24-20 against Uganda’s Mbogo.

In boys’ handball, St Luke’s Kimilili are out to clinch their third East Africa title when they face Rwanda’s Adegi. Kimilili beat Gisenyi 27-23 in the semi-final while Adegi won 26-21 against ES Kigoma.

Debutants Dagoretti stormed the boys’ basketball finals after beating favourites Lycee de Kigali (LDK) 56-42 in the semi to book a date with Uganda’s Buddo who saw off Laiser Hill 60-49. 

Another Kenyan affair will be witnessed in hockey as St Anthony’s Boys defend their regional title against local rivals Friends School Kamusinga national holders St Cecilia Misikhu seek to end their 10-year title wait against Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial. 

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