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JOBO, Menengai and Laiser Hill are set for a title clash as the Rift Valley Secondary Schools football games begin in Narok today.
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The three football heavyweights have been drawn into separate pools, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the knockout stages should they progress.
The battle for the Rift Valley Secondary Schools football title begins in Narok today, with defending champions Menengai High School, St. Joseph’s Boys High School (JOBO) and former champions Laiser Hill Academy emerging as the leading contenders for regional glory and qualification to the national championships.
The three football heavyweights have been drawn into separate pools, setting the stage for a potential showdown in the knockout stages should they progress.
JOBO headline Pool B, which is widely regarded as the toughest group after being drawn alongside Lodwar Boys, Meteitei Secondary School and hosts Narok High School. Menengai feature in Pool A together with Tengecha Boys of Kericho and Mnagei Secondary School from West Pokot, while Laiser Hill will battle Suguta, Tenwek High School and St. Patrick’s Iten in Pool D.
Pool C comprises Ndururumo High School, Concord High School and Emining Boys.
Besides football, Menengai will also be seeking to defend their rugby sevens title. Head coach Evans Adenya expressed confidence in his squad, saying the players are well prepared despite the stiff competition expected across both disciplines.
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“We are here to successfully defend the title, but we are keen not to underrate any of our opponents. We will apply the same approach that helped us win the Nakuru County championship as we target another qualification to the national championships,” said Adenya.
In the boys’ rugby sevens competition, Menengai have been drawn alongside Kabianga High School and Ortum Boys of West Pokot. However, they are expected to face strong competition from former champions Laiser Hill Academy and St. Anthony’s Boys, who share Pool A with Kabarnet High School and St. Patrick’s Iten.
Organisers expect the rugby sevens contest to be equally competitive, with Narok High School and Maasai Girls Secondary School serving as the main venues for the week-long championship, which is being staged across several venues in Narok County.
In the girls’ rugby sevens category, defending champions St. Joseph’s Girls (JOGA) begin their title defence against emerging side Iraa Girls from Kericho, who are making their regional debut after impressive performances at the lower levels.
Iraa Girls head coach Darius Rop said his team has made remarkable progress over the past two years and is eager to test itself against the region’s established powerhouses.
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“Our performances have improved steadily from the sub-county level to the county championships, and now we have an opportunity to compete at the regional level. The girls are motivated and ready for the challenge,” said Rop.
The Rift Valley Secondary Schools Games are expected to attract some of the region’s finest school teams, with winners earning the chance to represent the region at the Kenya Secondary Schools National Championships.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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