St Joseph's Girls, Kitale celebrate after winning the national hockey title/ANGWENYI GICHANASt Joseph’s Girls, Kitale will be aiming for a hat-trick of Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) hockey titles when the regional games get underway at Forest Hill in Morogoro, Tanzania, on Friday.
The Rift Valley powerhouses have been drawn in Pool A alongside compatriots Ng’iya Girls, Uganda’s St Mary’s College Namagunga and Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Secondary School.
JOGA won their maiden regional title in Mbale, Uganda, in 2024 before defending it on home soil in Kakamega last year.
Coach John Lusaka believes his charges are ready to extend their dominance and secure a third consecutive crown. “We have a strategy in place to dominate the hockey scene in Kenya and East Africa. Our team for next year’s championships is ready,” said Lusaka.
“The girls are ready to defend the title in Morogoro. We have had good preparations. We have been training hard since we won the national trophy in Kisumu.”
Former champions Nyamira Girls will provide another strong Kenyan challenge after being drawn in Pool B alongside Tanzania’s Arusha Meru and Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial School and Gayaza High School.
Nyamira, who won the East African title in Huye, Rwanda, in 2023, are determined to reclaim the trophy after losing 2-1 on flicks to JOGA in the national final in Kisumu.
Coach Stephen Kigai believes his team has the quality to restore the title to Nyamira. “We want to replicate the performance of Huye where Kenya won gold, silver and bronze. We have been training together as Team Kenya, but when we get to the field, we want to reclaim our title,” said Kigai.
“I believe it is our moment to shine.” Ng’iya Girls are also targeting a breakthrough after settling for bronze at last year’s FEASSA Games in Kakamega.
Coach Oduor Nyadida said his side has learned from last year’s campaign and is determined to go all the way this time. “This will be our second attempt at the FEASSA trophy.
Last year, we won bronze in Kakamega, but this time, we are going for glory,” said Nyadida. “We have worked on our weaknesses, especially the defence. We are in a good pool, and our target is to finish on top so that we meet the second team in Pool B in the semi-finals.”
With three Kenyan teams among the leading contenders, the competition is expected to extend the country’s dominance of East African schools hockey. Uganda and Tanzania will equally be keen to upset the established order in Morogoro.
