Onserio Leads Nyanza Ksssa School Games

Faith Onserio will headline Nyanza Region’s campaign at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term One national games as teams shift focus to the April 5–11 championships in Kisumu County.

The Riooga Secondary School sprinter has emerged as one of the athletes to watch after a dominant display at the regional championships in Maseno, where she successfully defended her 200m and 400m titles.

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Clocking 25.47 seconds in the 200m and 56.63 in the 400m, Onserio underlined her credentials as a serious contender for national and East Africa honours.

Her ambitions stretch beyond the school circuit. The Form Four student is targeting qualification for the World Under-20 Championships in Eugene, USA, later this year, and will use the nationals as a key stepping stone.

“I will step up my training because the competition will be stiff,” she said after battling wet track conditions to retain her regional crowns.

Onserio’s form sets the tone for a Nyanza contingent brimming with confidence across disciplines, with several teams heading into the nationals carrying both pedigree and momentum.

In hockey, Ng’iya Girls return as regional champions and have made their intentions clear after edging Nyamira Girls 1-0 in a tightly contested final. Having debuted at the national and East Africa stage last year, the Siaya-based side believes experience has sharpened their edge.

Coach Edwin Otieno insists this is a different proposition altogether. “We are not just going to compete — we want to challenge for the title,” he said.

Nyamira Girls, who also qualified, will provide familiar competition after establishing a growing rivalry with Ng’iya in recent seasons.

In rugby 15s, the long-standing rivalry between Kisii School and St Mary’s School, Yala, once again takes centre stage. Yala dethroned Kisii 9-6 in the regional final to end their dominance, setting up what promises to be another compelling duel at the nationals.

Both sides carry strong credentials. Kisii are the reigning East Africa champions, while Yala are chasing a return to national supremacy after an eight-year wait.

Their contrasting motivations could fuel one of the tournament’s defining contests.

Basketball will also offer Nyanza genuine title prospects. Agoro Sare head into the nationals buoyed by a dramatic 60-59 victory over St Mary’s Yala in the regional final, a result that underlined their resilience in tight contests.

“This is our third time at the nationals. We believe we can go all the way,” said coach Paul Odock.

In the girls’ category, Asumbi Girls arrive as overwhelming regional champions after an emphatic 80-41 win over Barchando, signalling their attacking strength.