Ng'iya Girls aim to slay more giants at national games

For the past five years, nobody dared challenge Nyamira Girls, the undisputed queens of hockey in the vast Nyanza Region.

Not even five-time East Africa champions Sinyolo Girls could go toe to toe with Nyamira. The Bondo Sub County-based school was sweeping their opponents left right and centre, averaging not less than 10 goals in majority of their matches.

However, today, the script reads differently and the team sitting at the top is Ng’iya Girls High School.

Ng’iya Girls is a renowned academic giant not only in Siaya but in the Nyanza region and nationally. While they grabbed the headlines during national academic performance and also in music and drama, little could be heard of them in sports.

Last year Ng’iya qualified for the Nyanza Region games after finishing second in the Siaya County finals behind Nyamira Girls. But their journey ended in the semi-finals.

Nyamira, on the other hand, went on to win silver medals both at the nationals in Machakos and East Africa in Gulu, Uganda.

This year, Ng’iya Girls used their third-time-lucky charm to stun Nyamira Girls 2-0 at the Siaya County games and 1-0 at the regionals, dethroning the heavyweights qualifying for the Brookside KSSSA national finals for the first time.

Speaking ahead of their debut in the finals set for Shanzu in Mombasa next week, Ng’iya Girls coach George Nyadida said they are not afraid of any team and they will use their underdog tag to their advantage.

“It was a huge feat for not only the school but the players who are really motivated after not only beating heavyweights Nyamira once, but twice in major finals. We are now at the national level, a dream for any student player and school,” Nyadida.

“We know it’s our first time but we are not a weak team. We are under dogs, yes, but we are champions of Nyanza. We will use that to our benefit and ensure we capitalise on those who underrate us.”