School Games: Volleyball queens Kwanthanze rule EA again

Kwanthanze Girls Thursday asserted their dominance in schools volleyball after they defeated Kesogon Mixed Secondary School in straight sets in an-all Kenyan final to clinch their fifth successive East African Secondary School Games title in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Kenyan queens blew away their compatriots in sets of 25-23, 25-22 and 25-17 to retain their 2019 crown and claim the overall title for the sixth time.

Kwanthanze, who have been at their impeccable best since the inter-school competitions returned in July, finished the returning championship unscathed only dropping one set against IPRC Rwanda in the semi-final.

By defending their crown, Kwanthanze maintained their status of the elite class in schools’ volleyball and their production-line seems it is not about to run dry anytime soon as they remain a heavy feeder for the women’s volleyball team.

Head coach Justin Kigwari, who is credited for steering the school to the heights of the sport, said despite Covid-19 forced break his players remained focused all through hence their triumph.

“It’s by the grace of God we continue to rule in this game. Many giants have fallen by the wayside this year due to Covid-19 which has negatively affected many teams but we’ve withered and emerged victors.

“The two-year break did not end our dream but we kept training and although we are not where we were in 2019, we again showed the world that Kwanthanze is still the kings in volleyball in the region,” Kigwari, who joined the school in 2013, told Citizen Digital.

Meanwhile, newcomers Highway Secondary School of Kenya ripped the form book to qualify for the boys' football final defeating reigning and 13-time record winners St Mary's Kitende School of Uganda 1-0 in the semi-final.

The team, under former Harambee Starlets Team Manager, Beldine Odemba, became the first Kenyan side to reach the final since 2016 when Barding High School won the title after beating Kitende 1-0 in the final at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.

The Nairobi-based team play Uganda's Kibuli Secondary School in Friday's final after they beat fellow country boys Buddo Secondary School 5-3 on post-match penalties in the other last four.

Wiyeta Secondary School beat their Kenyan rivals Dagoretti Mixed Secondary School 3-0 in the football girls' semi-final to set up a final duel against Uganda's St Noa Girls' Secondary School.