Onjiko High School Triumphs Over Maseno in Inaugural CS Eliud Owallo Basketball Tournament
KISUMU, Kenya — Onjiko High School emerged victorious in a closely contested match against Maseno High School, with a final score of 39-37, at the first Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owallo’s basketball tournament held Saturday. The game, which took place with CS Eliud Owallo, the sponsor through the Eliud Owallo Foundation, in attendance, concluded with Onjiko, the reigning Nyanza Basketball champions, claiming victory.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tournament aimed to revitalize basketball in the Nyanza region, which has historically been a significant contributor to the national basketball team. CS Owallo, responsible for Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, highlighted the region’s legacy in producing top-notch players and the need for a resurgence in the sport’s local prominence.
During the event, Owallo called for the formation of two Nyanza-based basketball teams, one male and one female, to represent the region. He urged former basketball players, tasked with organizing the tournament, to select the best players for these teams, promising support throughout the process. “We cannot watch our teams sink to the lowest ebb but we must work to nurture fresh talent as we strive to revive this game in Nyanza,” Owallo stated, emphasizing the importance of developing new talent to regain the sport’s stature in the area.
The tournament saw participation from 26 schools across the Nyanza region, with 13 boys’ and 13 girls’ teams from counties including Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Nyamira, Kisii, and Migori. A total of 390 student-athletes took part, under the supervision of some of Kenya’s most esteemed basketball players. The Eliud Owallo Foundation provided uniforms for all participating teams, underscoring the event’s commitment to fostering sportsmanship and talent development.
Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) Director John Okwemba mentioned that scouts were on the lookout for talented players to join a team representing Kenya in the USA later this year. Onjiko’s head coach, Joseph Were, expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities and their prospects for winning the Eliud Owalo basketball trophy, despite facing stiff competition from rival teams.