The County hockey champions Kisumu Day are keen to defend their title as the 2019 Term One County games begin at Chemelil Academy today.
Last year, they beat arch rivals Kisumu Boys 1-0 in the finals to win the title for the second year running.
Booker Odhiambo, the lake region champions head coach, said his team are ready for the tough duel.
“We have had an amazing training session since June last year and I am confident that the boys will retain the title,” he said.
Odhiambo urged his players to tighten their belts against Kisumu Boys and Maseno School whom, he said, pose threats to their target of reaching the national finals.
“Our main goal is to win the national finals but that will be a reality if we start by winning the county title. Maseno and Kisumu Boys are our long standing rivals and the boys should be careful not to undermine them because they are good teams,” Odhiambo added.
Kisumu Day are pooled against Onjiko and Nyabondo, an easy pool compared to Pool B which comprises Maseno, Kisumu Boys, Ngere and Chemelil.
But Maseno School rugby 15s coach Paul Nyamita said they are not to be taken it lightly and will battle for all the titles.
Maseno are the defending champions of the boys’ rugby 15s, handball and basketball having beaten Ndiru Secondary, Chulaimbo High and Kisumu Boys respectively.
“We will battle for all titles in this year’s county games. We are defending the three titles we won last year. The boys are psyched up and confident, so teams should not take us lightly,” Nyamita said.
In girls’ category, defending hockey champion Sinyolo Girls are seeking to make it two titles in a row when they launch their title defence against Nyakach Girls, Asol Mixed Secondary and last year’s runners up Kisumu Girls whom they are pooled in Pool A.
Sinyolo emerged 2-1 winners in last year’s final against Kisumu Girls and the two teams will be renewing their rivalry today in another epic clash.
Kisumu Girls will defend their basketball crown they won after defeating their rival Sinyolo Girls 16-8 last year.
Kisumu County Sports Secretary George Osura said preparations are ready and Term One games has ten schools.