Kisumu, Siaya counties hold cross country championships

Sammy Nyokaye of Nyamira County crosses the finish line to win the 4th edition of Rachuonyo Cross Country on January 7, 2018. He clocked 29mins and 48seconds. PHOTO | VICTOR OTIENO |

What you need to know:

  • Kisumu County will stage its championship at Dago Kore Secondary School, while Siaya County will hold its competition at Rang’ala Primary School.
  • The two counties will use the races to select their teams for regional championships to be held on January 27 at Kisumu Polytechnic.

Kisumu and Siaya counties will separately hold their cross country championships on Saturday.

Kisumu County will stage its championship at Dago Kore Secondary School, while Siaya County will hold its competition at Rang’ala Primary School.

The two counties will use the races to select their teams for regional championships to be held on January 27 at Kisumu Polytechnic.

Homa Bay County held its championship a fortnight ago, coinciding with the fourth edition of Rachuonyo Road Race.

In Kisumu, Athletics Kenya Nyanza South Secretary Thomas Ongwacho said more than 10 schools had confirmed their participation in the competition.

Ongwacho said the races would help unearth talent from learning institutions in the region.

“We are targeting junior men and women in the cross country championships. These are athletes who are still in secondary schools and there is a lot of potential in them that needs to be exploited,” Ongwacho said Friday. Athletics Kenya Nyanza North chairman Joseph Ochieng said Siaya championship will start at 8am, with more than 200 athletes expected to participate.

“We will start by 8am to finish the race early,” Ochieng said.

BIRO LICH TOURNAMENT

At the same time, Jomo Kenyatta Sports ground in Kisumu will host a two-day basketball and hockey tournament dubbed ‘Biro Lich Tournament High School edition’.

The annual competition has attracted 14 secondary schools which will compete in hockey and basketball. Speaking to Nation Sports in Kisumu yesterday, tournament organiser Chris Kinyua said it is aimed at build sports at institution level in the county.

“Sports talent is in schools and this is where nurturing of talent should begin. We want to play a role in that process and that is why we have this tournament,” Kinyua said.

The club edition held last month saw Team Resist beat Wazee 42 - 36 in a thrilling final to win the basketball title. The tournament has been sponsored by Skylark, Equator Bottlers, Homeland events, Creative natives, Gionee, Pacho 360 hoops and Liverpool VCT.