New Highway seeks to impress as national school games resume

New Highway Secondary School are back in the National Schools competition and will represent the Nairobi region in the Boys’ football category. The tournament is set to be held in Nakuru this weekend.

New Highway was beaten 1-0 in the final by Waylight Academy but filed an appeal accusing them of fielding an ineligible player which they won to secure the slot of representing the Nairobi Region.

They last featured in the competition in 1986. According to the Deputy Principal Mr Eric Wandavusi who also serves as the team coach, they have always come close but the seasonal champions Dagoretti High school have been just too strong.

“We have been performing well in the previous years but Dagoretti High school at the time were just too strong. What we did this time is we continued with our practice even though the Covid-19 period,” said the school’s Deputy Principal.

“Most of the players are in form four. It’s a very quality team and this time we want to win the National champions and represent the country in the East Africa School Championships.”

The tournament will see eight teams representing each region.

New Highway are pooled in Group A with Mbooni Secondary school from Eastern, Ebwali from Western Region and North Eastern are yet to present a team after they failed to have a tournament.

Group B consists of Olbolsat Secondary from the Central region, Kabarnet High school from the Rift valley, Serani Secondary from Coast and Kisumu Day representing the Nyanza region.

The winner of the tournament will represent the country in the East Africa School Games scheduled in Arusha Tanzania from the 14th to the 18th of September.

Meanwhile, all the disciplines will be held at Nakuru High and Nakuru Girls High School save for badminton and swimming which will take place at Shah Lalji Academy, Rift Valley Sports Cub is expected to host long tennis.

Yesterday, final preparations were being done at the venues with teams expected to arrive today as the opening ceremony will be held on Friday with finals set for Sunday.

In football pooling, Highway Secondary from Nairobi has been grouped with Mbooni Secondary (Eastern) and Bukembe High School from the Western region in Pool A.

With Olbolsat from the Central region, Kabarnet High School from Rift Valley, Serani from Coast, and Kisumu Day (Nyanza) in Pool B.

Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) Secretary David Ngugi, confirmed that they have inspected all the grounds to be used for the tournament revealing all are in good shape.

“Everything is in line with our plans ahead of the championship. The winners will proceed to Tanzania for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Association (Feasssa) ” said Ngugi.