Barchando, Kisumu begin Lake region titles defense in Mosocho

Nyanza’s top cream will flock the Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho as the institution braces up to host the Lake region games on Thursday.

Girls’ basketball titleholders Barchando who upset titans St. Mary’s Mabera during last year’s epic final at the Yala School begin the journey to defend their crown in a Group B featuring Mabera, Itiero and Kisumu.

Mabera, who had for long dominated the sport in the region were knocked off their perch by the hitherto unheralded Barsacho last term will be battling to restore their pride when the games get underway.

Nyamira County representatives, Ekenyoro Tech Girls are Pool A alongside local rivals Nyamira, Nyabururu and Asumbi who have featured in almost each of the last regional competitions.

In the corresponding boys’ fixtures, holders Kisumu have been drawn in Pool A against Kisii School, Agoro Sare and St. Pius Uriri.

Pool B has national basketball titans and deposed champions Maseno School alongside Cardinal Otunga, Ambira and Nyamira’s Ekenyoro.

“We’ve prepared our teams very well because we know the kind of competition we’ll be expecting. Last year was painful for my boys because we only lost the finals to Kisumu and hopefully this time we can go on and clinch the title,” Festus Segera , the Nyamira South Technical  adviser  who is also a Team Manager for Ekenyoro’s both squads told Citizen Digital.

In hockey, defending champions Maseno School play St. Mary’s Yala, Kiabonyoru and Kisii School in Pool A whereas Pool B has Kisumu Day, Kanyawanga, Homa Bay and Nyabigena.

Rugby powerhouse Maseno are in Group A alongside Homa Bay High, Nyabigena and Rapogi while Pool B comprises of hosts Cardinal Otunga, St. Mary’s Yala, Nyambaria High and Thurdubuoro.

Regional winners will book a berth to participate at the prestigious nationals in April. The national term one games shall be hosted in the County of Nairobi.