As the regional secondary school Term Two games approach their conclusion this weekend, concerns regarding age cheating have emerged once again. David Ngugi, Secretary General of the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA), has issued a warning about the innovative tactics employed by cheating cartels to circumvent strict measures against age fraud.
“We acknowledge that some complaints may be unfounded, which is why we have established procedures to investigate before taking action against the accused,” Ngugi stated.
Allegations of age cheating have raised questions about the integrity of the competitions, with particular implications for teachers and coaches involved in questionable practices. “We do not rely solely on appearances to determine age. Instead, we verify information using documentation from the ministry, including birth dates and examination records. When issues arise, we promptly investigate and take appropriate action,” he assured.
According to KSSSA, violations of age regulations can lead to severe disciplinary measures, including suspension or expulsion for both students and implicated staff.
In a positive development, new sports disciplines such as 3X3 Basketball and women’s rugby have been introduced across East Africa, aiming to expand the scope of school athletics.
Meanwhile, in the Nairobi region boys’ football semifinals at Jamhuri High School, Hospital Hill secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Lang’ata, while Ruthimitu triumphed over Ruaraka with a score of 3-0. Ruaraka will compete against Lang’ata in the third-place playoff, while Hospital Hill faces Ruthimitu for a chance to advance to the national championships. Hospital Hill coach Nicholas Matara anticipates a challenging final match against a formidable opponent, having previously defeated Lenana 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
In the girls’ football semifinals, Soweto emerged victorious against Highridge with a score of 3-0, while Brownhill overcame State House Girls’ 3-1. Soweto will face Brownhill for the championship title, while Highridge will battle State House Girls’ for the bronze medal.
