Last year, Cheptil lost 3-2 in a five-set thriller against eventual winners LT Saint Luc from Burundi in the semi-finals held at Bukedea in Uganda.
Coach Melly has vowed to reclaim the
trophy. “I expect a better performance from the boys. Last year, we lost
narrowly in the semi-finals, but this time we must reclaim our lost glory,” said
Melly.
Cheptil are in Pool B alongside Gogo Mixed and St Peter’s Mumias (Kenya), Rwanda’s St Phillippe Nelly, Tanzania’s Mugogwa, St James SS Ndama, and Namugongo Vocational (Uganda). Kenya’s Mawaluphamba and Malava High will face a tough task in Pool A, which also has defending champions LT St Luc (Burundi), PSV Huye (Rwanda), Tumbi (Tanzania), Standard High and Bukedea Comprehensive (Uganda).
Mwaluphamba coach Simon Mutuku said making it for FEASSSA is in itself an achievement. “Being our first time at FEASSSA, I expect the players to have a better outing and play in the finals. It will not be easy, but I believe in the boys,” said Mutuku.
Gogo Mixed head coach and principal Tom Achila is targeting the last four. “We finished fourth in our debut at nationals. We are targeting a semi-final slot in the East African Games. I expect my boys to be more confident and tactical,” said Achila.
In the girls’
category, national champions Kwanthanze Girls have set their sights on the
regional trophy, which they lost to Kesogon in Uganda last year. Kesogon
beat Kwanthanze 3-0 to lift last year’s title in an all-Kenyan affair.
Kwanthanze coach Justin Kigwari said: “We are going to reclaim our trophy. During our national championships, we were above all teams both technically and tactically.”
However, Kesogon coach John Marani has also declared they will seek to defend their title. “I believe we can still retain our title despite losing to Kwanthanze in the national final,” said Marani. Kwanthanze are in Pool A alongside compatriots Soweto Academy, ESB Kamonyi (Rwanda), Uganda’s Kajunjumele SS, Katikamu SDA and Amu College.
Kenya’s other representatives, Kesogon Mixed, Bishop Sulumeti, and St Mathias Mwitoti are in Pool B. They will be up against Rwanda’s St Alliance, Tanzania’s Mwanhuzi and Uganda's Bukedea Comprehensive and Tororo Girls. Soweto coach Wycliffe Wafula is sweating over the fitness of three key players— Ida Amela, Joyce Vaati, and Flavian Maero, who were injured during the national championships.
At the same time, organisers have confirmed FEASSSA venues. Football will be held at the newly refurbished Bukhungu Stadium, Mukumu High School, Musingu High, Kakamega School, and Kakamega Rehabilitation Centre. Kakamega School will also host tennis, basketball 3x3, and lacrosse.
Masinde Murilo University of Science and Technology will host volleyball, hockey, handball, netball, table tennis, badminton, cricket, chess, and scrabble. Swimming will be held at St Peter’s Mumias Primary, while the Bull Ring will host rugby. Basketball 5x5 will be held at Kakamega Police Canteen.
