Kenyan teams seek perfect start: Upper Hill and St Anthony’s in action today as East Africa event begins

TERM 2B GAMES SECONDARY SCHOOLS Kakamega Boy's Joshua Otieno (left) and Abdala Ramadhan of Upper Hill during Kenya Secondary School Sports Term 2B National Games at Nyeri Primary Moi Complex in Nyeri on Friday, July 7, 2017. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

National champions Upper Hill and St Anthony’s Kitale launch the boys’ football title quest today as this year’s Brookside East Africa Secondary Schools championships get under way at St Joseph’s College Layibi in Gulu, Uganda.

The Kenyan boys will be keen on a perfect start as they seek to hold on to the title won by Barding last year.

Upper Hill face off with homeboys Kibuli Secondary School in Group A while St Anthony’s will be up against LDK of Rwanda in B.

The two Kenyan sides, who are returning to the East Africa games after years in the cold, will be hoping to announce their return to the regional games with victory. Kakamega High School’s Green Commandos will have a rest day and start their campaign tomorrow.

Upper Hill coach Joseph Makokha told Standard Sports that their aim is to bag maximum points in their opening match.

“We desire a good start because it will boost our confidence as well as increase our chances of advancing to the knockout stage. We expect a tough match because playing at home our opponents’ have the 12th man but we will give the match our best,” said Makokha.

The two-time national champions are eyeing their maiden East Africa title. St Anthony’s, who won the inaugural trophy, are hoping that this is the year they end the long wait for a second regional gong. In other boys matches of the day, hosts Layibi will tackle College Karambi of Rwanda while Roi De Gitega will play Bentiu of South Sudan.

In the girls contest, former East Africa champions Wiyeta lead Kenya’s battle to recapture the trophy.

They play G.S, Kabusunzu of Rwanda in Group B while their Ibinzo counterparts play South Sudan’s Kapoeta. Defending champions G.S. Remera of Rwanda kick start their mission against L.T. Saint Basile of Burundi.

In hockey, five-time regional champions St Anthony’s, who are returning to the regional extravaganza after a one year absence, begin their hunt for a sixth gong against hosts St Mary’s Kisubi.

In an all-Kenyan affair, Kisumu Day play Upper Hill who will be seeking to improve on last year’s finish. St Charles Lwanga Kasasa will play their Namilyango counterparts.

National champions St Cecilia will renew their rivalry with St Joseph’s Girls Kitale in their opening round robin match of the girls contest.

Defending champions Sinyolo square it out perennial rivals Kakungulu Memorial while St Mar’s Namagunga tackle Bweranyange.

Directions: Here you have to pay

There are some things in life that are usually taken for granted, for instance stopping someone on the road and asking for directions. The thought of having to pay for such a favour never crosses anyone’s mind. However, here in Gulu one has to part with some money to be directed. Efforts to reach my hotel proved futile until I paid a boda boda rider to give me directions.

Business: Traders flood school games venue

Businessmen have abandoned their usual places of operation and moved to various venues hosting this year’s East Africa Secondary School Games that start today in Gulu, Uganda.

Hopeful of making a kill, they are scrambling for spaces to set up before the games start. James Kutesa, a clothes seller in Gulu town who has already found a place to display his goods at St Joseph’s Layibi the main venue of the games said that he is targeting guests.