All Set For National Secondary Schools Term One Games in Machakos

The stage is set for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) games that will officially kick off on Tuesday, April 8- 13 at Machakos Boys High School, Machakos County.

Teams arrived on Sunday and held light training on Monday at Machakos Boys ahead of the games which will officially be opened by Education Principal Secretary (PS) Belio Kipsang.

This year's school games features Rugby 15s girls' category after Rugby 7s was introduced in last year's term two games in Kakamega with St. Mwira's Girls hungry to write history as the first school to bag the title as they did last year in Kakamega.

In the boy’s category, hosts All Saints will be looking to put behind last year's 38-0 demolition by reigning champions Butula to win their maiden title, something they know would be a no mean feat.

However, Shimenga Livondo charges who saw off rivals Koyonzo 13-3 in a thrilling western region's final have already signaled their intent to win their second successive title.

"We are going to fight and defend our title, we are ready for the task ahead," noted Livondo.

The pair have been pooled in group A and they will kick off their title hunt against St. Patrick's Iten and Kisii School respectively.

Other matches will see Nairobi region giants tussle with Kitondo while former champions Mangu will battle out with Marafa.

Fireworks are expected on the first day of hockey games as heavy weights and title contenders Musingu high school, the defending champions, and St. Anthony Boys Kitale clash in pool B's opener.

St. Anthony are eying for a perfect start of this campaign as they look to reclaim their title after relinquishing it last year following a 1-0 defeat in the final.

In other matches Meru School will face a litmus paper test against Nairobi School while St. Charles Lwanga will face off with Ringa Boys. Central's Murang'a will tussle with hosts Katangi in another match.

There will also be some exciting fixtures in the girls contest as last year's third runners up AIC Nyayo tussle with silver medalists Tigoi Girls who are hunting for their maiden title after failing on three occasions.

Reigning Champions Nyamira who are pooled in group A alongside the pair will have a mouthwatering clash against former champions Pangani Girls who will be eyeing their first title since 2008.

Other matches, last year's bronze medalists St. Joseph's Kitale will clash with Mpesa Academy while St. Joseph Kibwezi tussles with St. Charles Lwanga.

In basketball boys, Laiser Hill academy will kick off their title defence against Lukenya while last year's runners up Dagoretti high will take on North Eastern in pool A matches.

Pool B matches will see Agoro Sare battle with western region giants Sigalame while former Champions Dr. Aggrey will take on Pioneer.

In girls' contest, defending champions Butere Girls will open their account against Nyakach who qualified after Ng'iya girls were kicked out of the national competitions for fielding an ineligible player.

Former Champions Buruburu girls will face off with Mpesa Academy in another group A clash.

Group B matches will see four times champions Kaya Tiwi face off with Rift Valley's Nasokol as hosts Ikutha welcomes North Eastern in their opener.

Handball boys will see defending champions Hospital Hill and St. Luke's Kimilili tussle against North Eastern and Handege respectively in pool A.

Hosts Mbooni who narrowly lost to Hospital Hill in last year's final will open their account against Manyatta as Mwangea takes on Saniak in another pool B clash.

In girls' contest, newbies Kwanthanze marshalled by head coach Justin Kigwari, known for his remarkable achievements in volleyball, are toasting their coin in handball, looking to write history on their maiden appearance.

The hosts have a date on Tuesday with Moi Forces Girls from Coast while reigning champions Moi Girls Kamusinga have an exciting clash with last year's bronze medalists Dagoretti Mixed in pool A.

Mirundiko and Ulanda will take on Nyathuna and North Eastern in pool B matches respectively.

KSSSA Secretary General David Ngugi believes it will be a huge success after Brookside Dairy pumped 30 m shillings into the competitions last week.

"We are looking forward to a successful competition. As usual we will ensure a fair competition and any cases of cheating will be firmly dealt with," noted Ngugi.