BY REUBEN OLITA
Shock and disbelief has engulfed Madende soccer boys team camp after they were disqualified from the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association Games set to kick off at Kakamega High School tomorrow.
Busia Education office that took the mandate to investigate claims by Bujumba over alleged irregularities by their opponents found Madende calpable of having fielded a player who has been in school for barely two months contrary to the games rules and regulations that a player is eligible to represent his school three months from joining the institution.
Sports CS Ababu Namwamba shakes hands with Madende players during the finals.
Subsequently, Bujumba will represent Busia at the games as runners-up alongside champions John Osogo. Bujumba is in Pool A, including Vihiga Boys, Kibabii, and Musingu.John Osogo is in Pool B together with Emusire, Lukhuna, and Shanderema.
It’s a big blow to Mandende, which has been camping at Kenya Medical Training College for the past one week courtesy of Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. The team had also enjoyed Ksh25,000 from the CS for qualifying to represent the county at the regionals.
Champions John Osogo Secondary School received Ksh25,000 each. Soccer ladies winners St Joseph’s Chakol and runners-up Katakwa pocketed Ksh25,000 each. Other teams received Ksh50,000 and officials Ksh50,000.
The CS, who graced the finals of the county games
at Nambale Boys a fortnight ago said the training will boost the morale of the teams ahead of the regional games.
Bujumba, which used to feature at the regionals requntly until the departure of Principal Eric Otwane to Mabunge, is travelling to Kakamega has not had intensive training and bonding like Madende and John Osogo.
Bujumba will encounter Musingu, which is back back after a couple of years; they eliminated 14-time. champions Kakamega Green Commandos at the county level. They are under headcoach Brendan Mwinamo, who guided Commandos to three national titles.
Other teams to represent Busia at the regionals include netball national defending cshampions Bumala AC and runners-up St Joseph’s Ch akol. Volleyball boys winners Sigalame and runners-up Butula and volleyball ladies winners Bumala AC and runners-up St Peter’s Busibi.
Rugby will be represented by champions Kolanya Boys, first runners-up, St Mary’s Mundika, second runners-up Butula, and fourth finishers Nambale Boys.
