Robert Aran, Shimba Hills girls’ basketball coach, says he expects his team to be champions again on Saturday evening when the Kenya secondary school national games, which start on Tuesday, end at the Upper Hill School.
Aran’s confidence stems from the performances of this team which has yet to lose a match since they lifted the national title in Kangaru, Embu, last year and made it to the East African games in Uganda despite having to replace many of its first team players.
The prospects this year are a little slimmer as well thanks to a couple of key front court departures.
“We have lost two players in Purity Adhiambo and Susan Akinyi, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t have a strong side,” said Aran.
“There are other players who will still do the work.”
Even claims that rivals Tigoi have acquired four players from Burundi are not worrying the champions.
“We’ve had so many pre-championship matches as well as participating in numerous tournaments and I have confidence that we will be able to win this tournament,” said Aran.
On the the use of foreign students in the games, Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) secretary general, David Ngugi, said that the association has no policy of discrimination and all students are eligible to play.
“As long a these players don’t contravene KSSSA rules, they are free to play,” said Ngugi.
“Verification must be obtained from the Kenya National Examination Council to ascertain their entry into Kenyan educational systems.”
Impressive form
Shimba Hills will be buoyed by their impressive form they have enjoyed as they face off with North Eastern Province Girls, Mabera from Nyanza and Alliance High School in their group stage matches.