Mixed results for Busia as KYISA Games kick off

Team Busia registered mixed results, winning two matches and losing one on day one of the Kenya Youth Inter-Counties Sports Association (KYISA) Games at Bus County Stadium on Monday.

Busia men’s soccer team (of age bracket between 18-25 years) got off to a false start, losing 1-0 to Meru in a thriller match watched by among others Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi.

The lone goal was scored by Denis Mwendwa in the 32nd minute when he side-stepped the Busia defence including the goalkeeper before placing the ball in a yawning net.

Busia tried all they could with Edgar Oruchum and Ayub Onyango creating several scoring chances but Meru’s solid midfield and defence denied them an opportunity to share the spoils.

Busia however got reprieve in men’s basketball when the home team demolished Samburu 64-19 to make a flying start to send an early warning of their desire to win the title Kisumu denied them in last year’s finals in Nandi.

Busia’s Collins Osakho was the man-of-the-match after scoring 15 points with team-mate Martin Otieno emerging second with 13 points; Loriari Nduche scored six points for Samburu.

Busia were also victorious in women’s volleyball beating Makueni 3-0 (25-14,25-11, 25-19).

Makueni is under the tutelage of former national women’s volleyball team coach David Lung’ao.

Busia’s trio of Faith Wekesa, Abigael Chebet and Jenifer Wachie tore their opponents to shreds with superb strikes and blocks.

Meanwhile, Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has urged organizers of the KYISA games to consider expanding it to include more disciplines in future championships.

In a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi during the formal opening of the games, the Governor said the inclusion of other disciplines like netball, athletics, and traditional games like wrestling, among others will give the youths a variety of sporting disciplines unlike the current scenario where we have only three – basketball, volleyball and football.

“KYISA should also look at the youths living with disabilities to enable them participate in events amongst themselves, this will make them part and parcel of the society where those with extra-ordinary talents can join the national team for Paralympics games,” he said.

The Deputy Governor underscored the importance of such games, saying Busia has produced youths who have become international stars like Victor Wanyama.

He noted that sports is a healthy venture which the youths should embrace to avoid contacting  non communicable diseases like blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.

KYISA chairman David Mwangi said cash crunch biting counties led to the last minute withdrawal of Kiambu and Narok counties, adding that 1112 players are in Busia for the games.

Busia Sports Executive John Mwami thanked KYISA for according Busia hosting rights.

He told participants to take advantage of captivating tourist sites in Busia including cultural sites and fish cages among others.

Action resumes on Tuesday with St Teresa Girls hosting volleyball matches.