Western begin intercollegiate games title defense in Kericho

The Kenya Teachers’ Colleges Sports Association 2017 Annual Intercollegiate National Ball Games kicked off on Monday at the County of Kericho where seven regions have assembled for the national championship.

Holders Western will face stiff competition from the Rift Valley, Nairobi, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza and Coastal regions as they begin their title defense bid.

The association’s national Secretary General Paul Maina confirmed the theme of this year’s event is ‘Enhancing Peaceful Co-existence through Games and Sports’ at the event where six disciplines will be competed for.

Along with hockey, football, handball, netball, volleyball and basketball, games for the people living with disabilities will also be on cards.

Organisers held training sessions of the referees for various disciplines on Sunday ahead of the kick-off as they seek elevate the level of officiating to professional standards.

“We have involved experts from various federations in conducting the trainings before championships start tomorrow.

We are out to ensure we adhere to the standards required in all disciplines. As per now, I want to say all the arrangements have been finalized and indeed we are raring to go,” Maina told Citizen Digital.

Last year, Western were crowned champions as Nyanza finished first runners-up while the Rift Valley was voted the most disciplined team.

SELECTED GROUPS

Men’s Football

Pool A: Kilimanjaro, Islamic, Kigari and Machakos. Pool B: Eregi, Tambach and Asumbi.

Women’s Football

Pool A: Asumbi, Murang’a, Egoji and Machakos. Pool B: Mosoriot, Islamic and Kaimosi.

Women’s Basketball: Pool A:  Kigari, Eregi, Islamic and Kagumo. Pool B: Thogoto, Asumbi and Kericho.

-Report by Kimutai Kering.