Team Kenya recorded mixed results in volleyball after they successfully defended the girls’ title but surrendered the boys’ title during the Brookside East African Secondary School Games at the National Stadium outdoor courts.
Kwathanze Girls High School and kenya’s officials celebrates after winning the East Africa Secondary School Games volleyball match against Rwanda’s GS Indagaburezi Secondary at National Stadium Dar se Salaam, Tanzania on 31-08-2014. PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO
It was song and dance after Kwanthanze beat a stubborn Groupe Scolari Indangaburezi (Group of Schools Indangaburezi) of Rwanda 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 27-25) in volleyball girls’ final to win the title for a second year running.
Kwanthanze coach Justing Kigwari did not take chances as he started with his top players namely Captain Ann Lowen, Irene Mbula, Lilian Leilei, Felistas Wanza, Yvonne Kiitha and Everline Nzilani.
Kwanthanze went into the match on the offensive and with good blocks and sharp attacks raced to 25-18, 25-18 victory in the first two sets.
DEVELOPMENT CENTRES
Indangaburezi, knowing very well that their existence in this match depended on the third game, matched Kenya’s points in efforts to win and force the proceedings to the fourth set.
Indangaburezi, which is under development centres run by Kenyan-born coach Paul Bitok, improved blocks and attacks to keep the gap very tight.
Kwanthanze lost two sets points, at 24-22 and 24-23 as the Kigali team charged on and caught up with the Kenyans at 24-24. Two successive points handed Kwanthanze the set and overall match victory.
Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said: “The girls are tired for playing in extreme weather conditions. But we thank God for winning the overall title.”
According to Kwanthanze Principal Paul Mutua, the victory means his school is a perfect breeding ground for future women players.
In boys category, Malava failed to defend they won last year after they were beaten 2-3 sets by St Mary’s Kitende of Uganda. In girls’ play-off that was a Kenyan affair, Malava beat AIC Kosirai 3-1 (22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-16) to bag bronze.
defend trophy
In rugby 15s, Maseno School hit Hanna of Uganda 12-3 in final to defend the trophy for Kenya at the University of Dar ea Salaam, did not qualify this time.
In football girls, after surrendering the title, Team Kenya managed bronze after National champions Butere beat compatriots and silver medalists St John’s Kaloleni 5-4 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 deadlock in normal and added time.
Despite having some of the skillful players in Kenya, Tartar who were the defending champions did not go beyond quarters.
Coach Julius Natoka said: “The climate here was just too hot for my girls who are from high altitude zone.”
We’ll go back to the drawing board and strategise for next year’s Games in Kigali,” he said.
But Natoka’s counterpart from Butere George Nasitsi stated that biased officiating against Nair teams was the main reason behind the failure by Tartar, Butere and St John’s Kaloleni to successfully defend Kenya the title.
By Oscar Pilipili, The Standard