By Nelson Musungu, Bungoma
The Kisiwa National Polytechnic has been crowned the overall Western Region champion at the Kenya Technical Institute Sports Association (KETISA) games held at Butere Technical Training Institute in Kakamega County.
The regional championship brought together teams from four counties within the Western region, showcasing remarkable talent, teamwork, and athletic excellence across multiple disciplines.
Kisiwa National Polytechnic dominated the tournament, excelling in both the men’s and women’s categories. Out of the six disciplines they participated in, the institution qualified for the national level in five, cementing its status as a regional sports powerhouse.
The polytechnic will now represent the Western region in Volleyball (men and women), Handball (men and women), and Women’s Soccer at the national KETISA games, scheduled to take place in Mombasa County starting October 29.
In Volleyball, both the men’s and women’s teams emerged champions, earning automatic qualification for the nationals.
The women’s Handball team also clinched the top spot after a thrilling victory over their rivals, Matili Technical Training Institute from Bungoma, while the men’s team finished second behind Matili.
In Women’s Soccer, Kisiwa narrowly lost 1–0 to The Bungoma National Polytechnic in the final, finishing as runners-up.
The institution’s overall performance reinforced its growing reputation in sports, marking a proud moment for both players and technical staff.
Robert Sikuku, the institution’s Dean of Students, commended the players and coaches for their commitment and hard work throughout the competition.
“I would like to give credit to our coaches and players across all disciplines for the great work done today and in the previous games, including the preliminaries,” he said.
Sikuku also praised the fans for their discipline and sportsmanship during the finals.
“Our fans conducted themselves maturely and respected the outcome of the games. They did not interfere with play, and that is commendable. I also appreciate the referees for their professionalism in handling the matches,” he noted.
At the same time, he cautioned coaches against the unethical practice of fielding non-students during inter-institutional championships.
“I’m calling upon our coaches to stop using non-students in these tournaments. Let us give our students priority, it is the only way to nurture and develop genuine talent,” he warned.
Mr. Ipapo James Denis, Kisiwa’s Handball Coach, expressed pride in his team’s success, attributing it to discipline, dedication, and consistent training.
“We thank the school management for its continued support. Our handball team’s inclusion in the Kenya Premier League has given our players valuable experience as they compete with top teams across the country,” Denis said.
He further urged the Handball Federation of Kenya to intensify talent-scouting efforts at the grassroots level to grow the sport nationally.
“Our team is ready and well-prepared to bring the national trophy home,” he said confidently.
