Immediate champions Wiyeta, Namwela and Kwanthanze were the biggest casualties of the concluded Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association in Kakamega county ahead of Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Games in Rwanda.
It was the end of the road for volleyball queens Kwanthanze, who in the last ten years have been winning the national titles. But on Saturday, Kesongon High school, making their third appearance at the nationals, were the surprise winners.
Coming from Eastern, Kwanthanze lost to rift valley’s Kesogon 3-1 at the Kakamega High school court in 25-19, 15-25, 25-22 and 25-18. This was the first win in three years that Kwanthanze has been victorious against Kaisha side in one of the most attended girls volleyball finals.
Head coach Gilbert Kaisha was on the moon with the victory.
“We came here with a purpose of winning the title and we did it in style, we were underdogs to Kwanthanze but we were well prepared,” said Kaisha.
He said that the underdog slogan was intimidating but they took advantage to secure the victory by beating the giants.
“As a school, we also want our name to grow in volleyball. With this achievement, we are praying that we meet at the finals at the Federation of East and Central Africa Schools games and we beat them too to cement our wins,” said Kaisha after the win.
A solitary goal from Judith Okumu was the only goal that Butere needed to sink champions Wiyeta, who have also dominated the national championships at the Bukhungu stadium.
This was the first title for Butere who last won the title nine years ago in 2014 when they represented the country at the regional games.
Coached by Howard Shikanda’s side match needed victory in one of the most tense finals
Shikanda said that they had two targets this year, which were achieved at the five day championships.
“We had two goals to be achieved. One was to reach and win a national title and play in East Africa. We have achieved everything in one day,” said Shikanda.
Butere will accompany Wiyeta and Madira for the regional champions after the later, [popularly called Assassins labored to 1-0 win over stubborn Dagoretti Mixed at the play-offs with Walarie Nekesa scoring the solitary goal.
Last year volleyball boys’ finalists Namwela were the favourite following the exit of then champions Cheptil boys from Rift valley.
But tides changed at the Kakamega Court when they lost against Ruthimitu in straight sets of 23-25, 22-25 and 23-25 at the semifinals before beating Tumaini at the play offs to make it to Rwanda.
Coach Isaac Muresia said that they will redeem their image in Rwanda after a bad day in Kakamega.
“We had good chances of winning the title but it slipped just like that. It is our high time that we redeem our image. We have another chance for a bigger title,” said Muresia.
At Bullring, Koyonzo retained their rugby 7s title after beating Vihiga while usuals St Antony’s Kitale were football boys champions.
East Africa pools
2023 FEASSSA Games in Huye, Rwanda
Pools and Draws
Boys Rugby Sevens
Pooling to be done at the venue
Jinja SS – Uganda
Kiira College – Uganda
London College – Uganda
Makerere College – Uganda
Koyonzo Boys – Kenya
Vihiga Boys – Kenya
St. Mary’s School, Yala – Kenya
Kitondo School – Kenya
Boys Rugby Fifteens
Playing Format: Round Robin
St. Mary’s College Kisubi – Uganda
King’s College Buddo – Uganda
Namilyango College – Uganda
Butula Boys – Butula Boys
All Saints Embu – Kenya
St Anthony’s Boys Kitale – Kenya
Netball Girls
Pool A
Andersen (Ke3)
Oyungi Ogango (Ke1)
Rutozo Sec (Tz 1)
St Noa Girls (Ug2)
Kawanda SS (Ug3)
Pool B
Bukokholo (Ke1)
St. Mary’s Kitende (Ug1)
Mukolani Sec (Tz2)
Buddo SS (Ug4)
GS Gahini (Rw1)
5×5 Basketball
Boys.
Pool A
Mbogo Mixed SS (Ug3)
Elite High Entebbe (Ug2)
LDK (Rw2)
Laiser Hill (Ke1)
Juhudi Sec (Tz1)
Pool B
Roleto Sec (Tz2)
Ste. Bernadette (Rw1)
Dr Aggrey (Ke3)
Dagoretti High (Ke2)
Buddo SS (Ug1)
Girls
Pool A
St Noa (Ug2)
Nabisunsa (Ug3)
Rafiki Foundation (Tz1)
Ste. Bernadette (Rw1)
Kaya Tiwi (Ke2)
Pool B
Butere Girls (Ke1)
GS Marie Reine, Rwaza (Rw2)
St. Mary’s Kitende (Ug1)
Orkeeswa Sec (Tz2)
Our Lady of Mercy, Nairobi (Ke
Soccer
Boys.
Pool A
St Anthony’s Boys (Ke1)
Kalangalala Sec (Tz1)
Amus College School (Ug3)
Shanderema (Ke3)
CGFK (Rw2)
St Henry’s College, Kitovu (Ug2)
Pool B
Dagoretti High (Ke2)
St Mary’s Kitende (Ug1)
Kibuli SS (Ug4)
Kiwira Coal Mine (Tz2)
Ecose Musambira (Rw1)
Girls
Pool A
Madira (Ke3)
GS Gatizo (Rw1)
Butere Girls (Ke1)
Kawempe Muslim (Ug3)
Ziba Sec (Tz2)
St Noa Girls (Ug2)
Pool B
Fountain Gate (Tz1)
Sacred Heart Gulu (Ug4)
Amus College School (Ug1)
APAER (Rw2)
Wiyeta (Ke2)
Handball
Boys.
Pool A
Bombo Army SS (Ug3)
Kilombero Sec (Tz1)
Mbooni High (Ke2)
Adegi (Rw 1)
Wampewo Ntakke SS (Ug 2)
Pool B
Kakungulu Memorial (Ug 1)
Hospital Hill (Ke1)
ES Kigoma (Rw2)
Manyatta Sec (Ke3)
Girls
Pool A
Kawanda SS (Ug1)
Kibuli SS (Ug3)
Moi Kamusinga (Ke2)
Kilombero Sec (Tz1)
ISF Nyamasheke (Rw2)
Pool B
St Joseph’s Kitale (Ke1)
Kiziguro SS (Rw1)
St Joseph’s Miranga (Ke3)
Gombe SS (Ug2)