Yala faces All Saints Embu in rugby 15s as national secondary schools term one games get underway in Kisumu tomorrow

Rugby 15s action between Kisii School and St Mary's School, Yala, during the Nyanza region final/ANGWENYI GICHANA

The rugby 15s action between former champions St Mary’s School, Yala, and All Saints Embu will be the highlight of the opening day of the Brookside Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), starting tomorrow. 

The Term One national games will be staged across several venues in Kisumu, with Yala facing All Saints at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium. Yala coach George Kerima said the game against All Saints will be difficult, but tipped his boys to overcome the 2024 national and Federation of East African Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) champions.

“It will be a tough game, but as Nyanza champions, we are ready for it. We have had adequate preparations, and we are targeting a positive start because this is a critical game for us,” said Kerima.

He said their main target is to lift the trophy. “ Hosting the games in Nyanza gives us an added advantage because the boys are at home and will enjoy the massive support,” he noted.

Former champions Upper Hill School will start their campaign for the title against Coast region champions Kwale High, while Menengai High will face Bungoma High in another encounter. The last game of the opening day will pit defending FEASSA champions Kisii School against Mang’u High.

The boys’ basketball, which will be staged at Kisumu National Polytechnic, will see Laiser Hill Academy start their title defence against Dagoretti High. Former champions Dr Aggrey will be up against Lukenya Academy, while Friends School Kamusinga will entertain Mang’u High.

St Mary’s School, Yala, coached by Leonard Okuku, will make their nationals bow against the North Eastern region's Sabunley Secondary.

In the girls’ category, Butere Girls will launch their bid for the fourth consecutive title against Olympic High from Nairobi, while former champions Kaya Tiwi will face Ikutha Girls.

Rift Valley champions St Brigid’s Kiminini will have an easy task against Takaba from North Eastern, while Barchando will face a herculean task against Loreto.

In boys’ hockey, St Anthony’s, Kitale, face a tough opening game against hosts Kisumu Day as 12-time champions Friends School Kamusinga play Ringa. Nairobi champions Hospital Hill will tackle St Charles Lwanga.

In the girls' hockey, defending champions Tigoi Girls will be up against St Charles Lwanga, as FEASSA champions St Joseph’s, Kitale, face former national and East Africa champions Nyamira. Ng’iya Girls will launch their bid for the national title against Mwiki Girls.

Other fixtures —girls handball: St Claire’s vs Kyeni, Moi Girls Kamusinga vs Nyakach, St Joseph’s Girls Kitale vs Mwatate and Wajir Girls vs Karai; Boys’ handball: Highway vs St Austin Matuu Day,  Sheikh Ali vs Handege, Musingu High vs St Mary’s School, Yala and St Joseph’s, Kitale vs Kenyatta High.