Baseball Kenya President Titus Mutwiri speaking during the KSSSA national championships closing ceremony/ANGWENYI GICHANA
Baseball, cricket, lacrosse, beach volleyball, chess, softball, beach football and scrabble have been added to the regional schools’ sports calendar, although Kenya will not field a team in beach football.
Kenya’s baseball campaign will be led by inaugural national champions Mully Children’s Family (MCF) School in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
Nkaimurunya Senior School will join MCF in the boys’ competition, while St Ann’s Musoli Girls will be the second Kenyan team in the girls’ event.
Baseball Kenya Federation president Titus Mutwiri described the inclusion of baseball as a breakthrough for the sport’s development in schools.
“For a long time, the BFK has been trying to take baseball to the KSSSA and FEASSA Games. It has not been possible until now. This is a true testament that the sport has a chance to grow,” he said.
Mutwiri added that the new platform would help the federation identify players with potential for national teams.
“The talent that we look for in national teams is at its peak during the years between 17 and 19. This is an opportunity that will give us the cream of the kids who have talent in baseball,” he said.
Newly elected Chess Kenya president Andrew Owili also welcomed the inclusion of chess in the schools’ calendar, saying it would provide a strong foundation for the sport’s growth.
“Having chess as part of the KSSSA calendar will go a long way in the development of the sport. This partnership will help chess to grow in the country,” said Owili.
Chess Kenya’s Chess in Schools coordinator Saphinah Kenyando said Kenya would be targeting another dominant performance after winning the demonstration event at last year’s FEASSA Games in Kakamega.
“Last year, when chess was played as a demonstration sport at FEASSA in Kakamega, Team Kenya reigned supreme. We expect to defend our crown,” she said.
Kagumo High School and Moi High School Kabarak will represent Kenya in the boys’ team event, while St Patrick’s Makunga and Alliance Girls will compete in the girls’ category.
In scrabble, Utumishi Academy and Kagumo High will represent Kenya in the boys’ event, with Mugoiri and Kahuhia flying the flag in the girls’ competition.
Musingu High and Mumias Muslim will compete in the boys’ lacrosse, while national champions St Joseph’s Girls Kitale and Khalaba Girls will represent Kenya in the girls’ event.
In cricket, Arya Boys and St Joseph’s Boys Kitale will compete in the boys’ category, while Mwangaza and Namasoli Girls will contest the girls’ event.
Kenya’s beach volleyball challenge will be led by Kosirai Girls and Bishop Sulumeti Girls in the women’s competition, with Cheptil Mixed and Sangalo representing the boys.
The beach volleyball competition will be played on a round-robin basis.
