Kwanthanze, Mbooni reign supreme in Eastern School Games

Kwanthanze, who have been at their impeccable best since the return of the school games, whitewashed Kambi Mawe of Makueni by 3-0 sets in the final (25-15, 25-11,25-07) to clinch their sixth successive Eastern title in style without dropping a single set from the zonal level to the regional final.

Coach Justin Kigwari, who has steered the team to win five consecutive East Africa titles since joining the school in 2013, exuded confidence ahead of next week’s nationals in Nakuru.

“As the championship intensifies I can say the level of the competition is also rising even though we have not lost any set since the grassroots level. Things have changed immensely since 2019 when we last met many of our opponents and I know things will not be the same in the nationals but we’re ready.

“Every team is struggling to shrug off the Covid-19 effects and that I believe is the reason some giants are being surprised by the newbies. It is unpredictable and our grip will be put to test next week,” said Kigwari.

Fast-rising Mbooni Boys completed a double over Machakos School to win both football and handball titles as their steady rise to the top echelons of School Games continued to uniquely unfold at Kangaru.

Mbooni fought back from a goal down to beat the determined Machakos School 2-1 in the feisty encounter completing a sweet revenge against the latter who had defeated them 1-0 in the group stages.

The Makueni representatives also dominated in handball, hitting the same opponent 31-10 in a one-sided final to successfully defend their 2019 title.

Head coach Nicholas Mukula said they have set their eyes on the East Africa crown expressing confidence they will pass the national hurdle. They lost to Kimilili in the 2019 handball final.

“There is no problem with daring to dream. We not only want to win the national titles but we also want to sweep the East Africa accolades. The support from our Principal (Dominic) Maingi is the catalyst for our success and the fruits are now there for everyone to see.

“Since the pandemic struck our handball team joined the national handball league and that has really helped us remain on the track and that’s why we’ve been winning without much fuss since the school games returned,” Mukula told Citizen Digital.

Mbooni basketball team also reached the final but fell short after going down 62-36 against Lukenya of Machakos.

New order in Rugby

All Saints High School were crowned the Eastern region rugby 7s winners edging out giants and immediate champions Kangaru 18-0 in their home turf.

The teams, which hail from the same sub county, had already met twice before the final but the newcomers went for the jugular against the 2019 East Africa Secondary School Games bronze medallists to have the last laugh.

Interestingly, it is the former Kangaru coach Benson Mwenda who helped Saints put Kangaru, his former employers, to the sword having guided them to East Africa Games in 2019 before switching allegiance this year.

Kangaru, who had been eliminated at the county level, got a lifeline after Isiolo County failed to send a rugby team.

In girls' football, Kibauni from Machakos secured a hard fought 1-0 win to their maiden regional title against Ikalyoni from Kitui.

Katwála of Kitui, under the tutelage of the national netball team head coach Joseph Makau, were crowned new Eastern region netball champions after beating much-improved Kwanthanze 42-32.

In hockey, Meru School rued their missed chances as they fell 1-0 to Katangi in post match flicks. Moi Girls from Marsabit overpowered Makueni 1-0 to lift the girls’ hockey trophy.