KSSSA Games 2022: The old, the new and everything in between

The Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) national games came to a close on Monday 12 September, having returned after a two-year hiatus occasioned by Covid-19.

Action returned with the same oomph, pomp and colour that fans and participants alike have known over the years. The energetic youngsters had triumphed over the pandemic and came ready to showcase their raw talent to those in attendance and beyond. 

New champions were born, 'giants' were felled, all in an exciting four-day action-filled period that saw all finalists booking a place to the East Africa School Games set to begin on 15 September in Arusha, Tanzania. 

KSSSA Games: Coast region dominate basketball as Kaya Tiwi, Dr Aggrey are crowned champions

The giants that fell

Any one that has followed the games can attest to the St Lukes Kimilili, prowess in boys' handball. The side has won all titles since 2007 but for 2017 when they missed the national games. 

This year's championship, however, presented a new challenge to the Wekesa Wangwa-coached side that was the reigning champion coming into the 2022 event. 

The side, however, could not withstand the new kids on the block and were defeated in the semis by the now silver medalists, West Pokot's Kamito Boys who were the surprise package of the games. 

In boys' basketball, another upset awaited perenial winners and defending champions coming to the 2022 national games, Laiser Hill. 

The Antony Kirimi led side looked set to go on to yet another title, with impressive performances at the group stage but rivals Dagoretti High stopped them on their tracks winning the semis 59-55 to deny Kirimi's charges a ticket to the EA games. 

Another upset lay in wait in girls' netball with holders Kaya Tiwi, relegated to a fourth-place finish as new champions Kobala were crowned, having defeated Bumula 48-35 in the final. Kimoson finished third in a 44-11 outcome against Kaya Tiwi. 

New kids on the block 

The 2022 championship came with its fair share of surprises as new champions were crowned. 

Coast region's Dr Aggrey goes top of my list of newbies who dominated and displayed amazing talent in boys' basketball. 

The side's basketball has been propelled to the national level by former Kaya Tiwi principal who has since joined the school and elected to continue his legacy at Kaya with coming up with a championship-winning side.  

In a highly entertaining final against reigning silver medalists Dagoretti High, both sides were good enough to lift the title but it was the Coastal side that found the edge to beat the Nairobi champions 70-64 in the final and lift the tilte. 

In handball, boys' champions Hospital Hill, bag their maiden title in the sport after fending off immense competition for the likes of Mbooni Boys', the 2019 silver medalist, and record title holders Kimilili. 

Silver medalist, Kamito, also go into the books as one of the revelations at the 2022 games. 

KSSSA Games: Olympic Girls book maiden East Africa slot as Dagoretti deny Laiser

In girls' handball, silver medalist St Joseph's Kitale deserve a mention, having made their maiden appearance at the national level and booked a ticket to the EA games in their first time of asking. 

The side had managed to deny 2019 national champions, St Joseph's Kirandich the chance to defend their title, defeating them at the regional level, which was no mean feat. 

Meanwhile, volleyball had more than one team making an impressive impact. Newbies Kesogon and Martha Mwitoti in girls' volleyball go top of this list, having made their debut and went on to win silver and bronze respectively. 

Also to be acknowledged are Namwela, the 2019 bronze medalist who returned with a vengeance to book a slot to the EA Games, giving the champions Cheptil a tough time in the final. 

Elsewhere, girls' basketball silver medalist Olympics Girls make the list, as they made their debut at the games and made it to the EA games, against all odds. 

Comeback team of the championship

KSSSA Games: Cheptil, Kwanthanze carry the day in volleyball

Cheptil Boys' volleyball comes to mind as the team that overcame a ban in 2017 that saw them miss the 2018 championship and falling at the county level in 2019 but used the Covid-19 occasioned break to regroup and reclaim the title they last won in 2016. 

Moi Girls Kamusinga reclaimed their national handball title as did Kaya Tiwi in girls basketball having lost to Kirandich and Buruburu respectively in 2019. 

Congratulations to all winners and all the best at the EA games in Arusha.