Uasin Gishu and Kisii pick wins in Inter-County football competition

Uasin Gishu and Kisii counties began their hunt for the coveted football title on a high note during the ninth edition of Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) after recording huge victories in their opening matches.

Uasin Gishu thrashed Kilifi 3-0 in a one-sided match played at the Lions High School in Kisumu town. At the same venue, Tana River shocked pre-tournament favourites Migori County 2-1 in a thrilling match that threatened to go either way.

In another match, Kisii piped Murang’a County 2-1, while the Ministry of Devolution collected three points after stopping Nandi County 1-0.

The matches were played at the Kisumu National Polytechnic. Nandi County and the Ministry of Devolution have been pooled with host Kisumu county in pool “E”.

On Monday evening, the host county Kisumu started their football campaign on a low note after settling for a barren draw with Nyandarua in their opening match at Jomo Kenyatta stadium. Kisumu County team manager Tom Stadi told People Sport yesterday that he was optimistic the team will bounce back and win their next match after failing to impress in the opening match.

“Though we had a disappointing start to the competition, we hope to win all our upcoming fixtures and eventually top the group,” he said. In handball, Nairobi county beat 24 to 12, Kisumu beat Kericho 13-3, Siaya 16 Kilifi 04 In the men’s category, Nairobi beat Vihiga 24-12, Kisumu 16 Keri- cho 8 and Siaya outshine Kiambu 10-7.

In men’s volleyball, Kiambu beat Nyeri by three straight sets 3-0 (25- 17, 25-17, 25-20), while Tana River stunned Kisii by a similar score line 3-0 (25-21, 25-11, 25-15) and Uasin Gishu resisted Narok’s threat to win 3-1 (25-14, 25-14, 26- 28, 25-21).

In women volleyball, West Po- kot beat Narok 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-4, 25-11), while Nandi stopped Nyandarua 3-0 (21-25, 14-25, 13- 25) as Uasin Gishu beat Vihiga 3-0 (25-7, 25-4, 25-12) and Murang’a beat Meru 3-2 (25-14, 25-18, 17-25, 20-25, 15-5).

The annual county games that kicked off in the lakeside county on Monday will run through to Saturday, January 21. About 8,000 participants from 32 participat- ing counties are taking part in the sports extravaganza.

The games are being held in 13 venues, including Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mambo- leo, Moi stadium, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports center, the Kisumu National Polytechnic, Kassam Sec- ondary School, Lions High School and Kisumu School.

Other venues are Kisumu Day Secondary school, the Aga Khan Hall, Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall, Rotary training Center, Cos- mopolitan Club and the Nyanza Golf Club.