Kenya will be represented in five disciplines during the East Africa Schools Championshiop scheduled to start next weekend in Bujumbura, Burundi. The country will be represented in volleyball, football, basketball, athletics and racket games. Kenya will be seeking to better their record of 39 medals (18 gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze) from last year as the event celebrates its 10th anniversary.

In the girls category, Kenya will be represented by Kapkolel, Kerugoya, Asumbi (hockey), Shimba Hills, Buru Buru, Alliance (basketball), Kamusinga, New Jogoo Road (handball), Shimba Hills, Obambo (netball), Tartar, St John's Kaloleni, Olympic (football), Malava, Cheptil, Othoro (volleyball) as well as 20 runners.

St. Anthony lead the boys' teams where they will be taking part in the football and hockey competitions. Upper Hill are the other side in football while Kamusinga and Lenana will tag along with St. Anthony's in hockey. Laiser Hill, Upper Hill and Maseno the country's flag bearers in basketball.

Others are Silibwet, Toroso (handball), Kakamega, Maseno, Mang'u (rugby 15s), Cheptil, Mukumu, Hospital Hill (Volleyball) as well as 20 runners. While handing over the flag to the country's representatives yesterday, Minister for Education Mutula Kilonzo reiterated on the significance of co-curricullar activities in the growth of students.

Kilonzo said this can be attested by the ministry's facilitation of the local games where they spent over Sh40m. "This is in line with our goal of identifying, nurturing and developing the talents of our youth coupled with the desire to enhance the East Africa Cooperation," said Mutula. The Kenyan teams congregate at Lwanya Girls on Monday before their departure fro Bunjumbura two days later.

Meanwhile, Buruburu Girls are happy to be back in the regional after last featuring in the 2010 edition. "We are happy that we have retained our position and that we will be taking part in the East African Ball games. Our hope is to emerge winners," said head coach Julius Otieno. National basketball coach Ronny Owino, who has been helping the girls in their training, remained confident that the team will pull a surprise this year.