Stakes are high as creme dela creme of schools’ sports battle for top honours as this year’s Brookside Secondary Schools National Term One games begin today at Shanzu Teachers College and Shimo La Tewa High School, in Mombasa.

With 2024 winners back to defend their titles and a possible increase of slots to the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games later in the year, only the best will leave Mombasa heads high.

All participants have everything to fight for as they seek bragging rights and tickets to the East Africa games which Kenya will host from August 14-22.

Former champions in various sports are also yearning to reclaim their lost glory and will fight tooth and nail to make it happen even as novices seek to prove that though they are new on the national stage, they are no pushovers.

The championship will culminate in crowning moments for the winners in rugby 15s, hockey, basketball, handball, swimming, athletics and cross-country.

National and East Africa rugby 15s champions All Saints Embu from Eastern will launch their title defence in Group A against homeboys Serani Secondary School.

All Saints, who have been impressive since making their national debut in 2023, are seeking to extend their reign to two years in a row, a feat their predecessors have struggled to achieve in recent years.

All Saints coach Benson Mwenda said victory in their opening match will be key in ensuring they remain on course to retaining their trophy.

“A good start goes a long way in boosting the players’ morale as well as confidence in any competition. I want us to start well so that we can keep the momentum throughout the competition,” Mwenda said.

Another Group A clash of the day will see 2018 national and East Africa winners Upper Hill from Nairobi, who return to the games after four years in the cold, take on Central’s Mang’u High School.

Mang’u, who have been at the nationals since 2023, will be hoping that gods of rugby will give them the nod just like they did in 2010 when they lifted the national gong at the same venue.

In boys’ hockey, former national and East Africa champions St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale from Rift Valley will be out for a good start when they take on Nairobi champions Hospital Hill in Group A.

St Anthony’s, who have remained consistent at the national games, are looking to recapture the title they lost to Musingu High School in 2023.

Homeboys St Charles Lwanga will entertain Our Lady of Mercy Ringa Boys in the second Group A match in a repeat of their 2024 opening match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

In Group B, holders Musingu will usher newcomers Matiliku Secondary School to the national stage.

Musingu have been on a steady rise, winning the 2023 and 2024 national crowns and also grabbing last year’s East Africa gong.

They are seeking to stretch their reign to three consecutive years. Coast’s Mnyenzeni Secondary from Coast will play Central’s Mpesa Foundation Academy in the last match of the day.

In girls’ hockey, champions Tigoi Girls from Western will face off with 2014 winners St John’s Kaloleni in their opening Group B match.

St John’s, who finished second at the Coast games behind St Charles Lwanga, are praying for a successful return to the big stage.

In the second pool match, last year’s fourth-place finishers Mpesa Academy will play debutants Ng’iya Girls from Nyanza.

Hosts St Charles Lwanga will lock horns with 2024 bronze medallists and East Africa champions St Joseph’s Girls High School Kitale in a Group A battle of the saints clash.

Eastern champions AIC Nyayo will play Nairobi’s Mwiki Secondary School in the second pool tie.

A showdown is looming in boys’ basketball as defending champions Dr Aggrey buoyed by home support renew rivalry with Dagoretti High School from Nairobi in their opening Group A encounter.

Friends School Kamusinga, who return to the games after missing last year’s show, will play Pioneer School from Central.

In Group A, 2023 winners Laiser Hill will face Wajir High School, while national regulars Lukenya School will test newcomers Sawagongo from Nyanza.

Butere Girls from Western will begin their basketball title defence in Group B against Rift Valley champions St Joseph’s Kitale.