Busia Scrabble team continued with their superlative performance winning back to back Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) Games title that came to an end today at the Kericho Teachers Training College.
They exerted their supremacy, shrugging off stiff opposition from Siaya and debutants Migori to retain their title that was decided in the last two matches on a day of drama that saw experience earn the border town the coveted trophy that they will receive during the closing ceremony on Saturday.
Busia were crowned champions with an average of five that is, positions 2, 6 and 7. Siaya took second position with an average of 6, i.e. positions 3, 5 and 10 with Migori coming in third position i.e. positions 4, 11 and 14.
Despite producing the top individual player in Dr Patrick Miriti, Meru could only manage sixth podium finish with an average of 22, positions 1, 27 and 38.
Stephen Amwayi made last minute spirited efforts to dislodge Willis Ang’awa from Siaya for second position with +1425 spread, behind seventh ranked player nationally Dr Miriti.
Busia produced four top players in top 10; others were Eric Wamalwa in position six with +1139, Alphonce Kajenjo in position seven with +888 and Largus Amukanga in position 8 with +688.
The top five finishers have earned direct selection for this year’s East African Local Authority Sports and Cultural Association (EALASCA) Games in Kampala in December.
The five are Dr Miriti (Meru), Amwayi (Busia), Willis Ang’awa (Siaya), Julius Odongo (Migori) and George Okello (Siaya). Wamalwa, Kajenjo and Amukanga who finished in positions 6th, 7th and 8th will travel to Kampala as reserve players.
Amwayi said producing four players among the top 10 was no mean achievement and thanked the Governor Sospeter Ojaamong for sponsoring them to defend their title. He promised the Governor Team Busia will lead the onslaught to have the trophy come to Kenya.
Scrabble Kenya Assistant Secretary-General Powell Kiplagat urged KICOSCA Secretariat to encourage counties to take part in Scrabble tournaments, adding that the event with give players’ international exposure.