School Games: Joy for Kenya as Kwanthanze, Namwela win volleyball titles

Africa schools volleyball champions Kwanthanze Secondary School have now set their sights on the world title.

The outstanding girls qualified for the World Secondary Schools Sports Games due in Berlin, Germany later this year after winning their seventh East African title on Sunday in Huye, Rwanda.

Coach Justin Kigwari’s charges overcame the disappointment of losing their national title to successfully defend their regional crown afer beating Kenyan champions Kesogon Mixed Secondary School in a five-set thriller at PSVF Karubanda grounds.

Kigwari was proud to produce another crop of winners.

“I delight in their succes, watching them win titles fills my heart with joy. It is more than just winning but giving every girl a chance to showcase their skills,” said Kigwari.

On critics who had written his side off after they lost to Kesogon in the national final 16 days ago at Kakamega High School, Kigwari said defeat has helped him improve the side.

“When you are on top and winning, you are in danger of resting on your laurels and getting cocky. I am glad we lost in Kakamega because it showed that we are not invincible,” he added.

The bulk of Kwanthanze players are Form One and Form Two students, and the squad can only get better. With five national titles, though, they still have a long way to go to match Lugulu Girls High School’s unprecedented 22 national titles.

In Sunday’s final, it was sweet revenge. However, it did not come easy. Kwanthanze came from behind twice to win 23-25, 25-21,18-25, 25-23 and 15-13.They were inspired by alumnus and Malkia Strikers setter Esther Mutinda who rallied the girls in the charged final. Kwanthanze setter Terry Makyne was voted the Most Valuable Player.

Kesogon coach Gilbert Kaisha said small mistakes denied them a memorable double.

“We threw the game away due to avoidable errors. Probably it was nerves or pressure but I am proud of the girls for getting to another final,” said Kaisha.

In the boys’ final, Namwela Secondary School won 3-1 (27-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-12) against Uganda’s Namugongo Vocational School for their maiden regional title.

Namwela finished third in the national games behind Ruthimitu Mixed Secondary School and Andersen Secondary School, who were eliminated in the group stages.

“We had a great start and despite losing the second set we piled pressure on them in the remaining sets and they couldn’t handle our game,” said Namwela captain Steve Baraka.