St. Mary’s School, Yala, has officially announced the dates for the much-anticipated 13th Edition of the Yala Invitational Tournament (Black Saints), which will take place from Saturday, January 24 to Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the school grounds in Yala.
According to a circular released by the Chief Principal Victor Makanda of St. Mary’s School, Yala, and signed by Ojwala Peter, the Games Coordinator and Tournament Director, invitations have been extended to schools across the country to participate in the two-day sporting event. Over the years, the tournament has grown into one of the most prominent fixtures on Kenya’s secondary school sports calendar.
The event will feature a wide range of boys’ competitions in both Junior Secondary School (JSS) and Senior School categories. Among the disciplines to be contested are rugby 15s and 7s, hockey, soccer, volleyball, handball, basketball (5×5 and 3×3), and various racquet games. The tournament provides an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talent, foster teamwork, and develop a spirit of sportsmanship.
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Each Senior School team will be required to pay a participation fee of KSh 2,000, while Junior Secondary teams will pay KSh 1,500 per category. All participating schools are expected to carry packed lunches for their teams, while accommodation arrangements will be available upon prior request.
Ojwala emphasised the importance of early registration, urging interested schools to confirm their participation by January 18, 2026. “We look forward to hosting schools from across the country as we continue to nurture sportsmanship, discipline, and excellence among young athletes,” he said.
Popularly known as Black Saints, the Yala Invitational Tournament has evolved into a premier inter-school sporting event that attracts top rugby, football, and volleyball teams from different regions of Kenya. It remains a key platform for identifying and nurturing upcoming sporting talent in the country.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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