By Anderson Ojwang’
A story of faith, self-belief, and sacrifice. In the footsteps of the founder, the former Permanent Secretary for Provincial Administration, the late Hezekiah Oyugi Ogango, Oyugi Ogango Girls in Migori County has never disappointed.
The founder is credited with making huge transformations and uplifting the community in all spheres to national limelight, and that is why he stands out and is still recognised for his contribution to education, socio-economic, and political growth in the region.
The making of the giant
In secondary school games, netball has been perceived as the game without giants. But Oyugi Ogango has defied the odds to create netball giants.
2007 was the last time the school reached the regional competition and was knocked out. For 14 years, the school watched as others triumphed and rejoiced in glory.
But in 2021, when the country was reeling from the effects of the Corona pandemic, the school was waking up from the ashes. A new journey and a rebirth. The leadership changes by the Ministry of Education ushered in a new dispensation at the school.
The arrival of Chief Principal Rose Adhanja in 2022 radically reset the factory setting. In 2023, the once passive observers nearly caused a scare at the Nyanza Secondary School games when they nearly lost to Nyakach and Kobala Girls.
The statement of intent was declared, and the eyes were not only set on the regional but also the national trophy.
Coach Titus Okello said the arrival of the principal, who is also a former netballer and the head of the technical bench, was the rebirth the team needed.
“In her first year, we lost at the regionals. We went back to the drawing board, and it was time to make a mark. We resolved to succeed at the national level,” he said.
When fasting brought the glory
For teacher Celestine Obuya, in charge of boarding and spirituality, the journey to the trophy-laden success didn’t come from a silver platter but from hard work and commitment.
“Ahead of the games, we go into fasting at the school chapel, and our commitment to prayers has seen us through and brought glory,” she said.
She said the school has ensured the right diet and nutrition for the team, and this has enabled them to grind out results.
The champions
New kids on the block were born, and in 2023, the dream was actualised. There was no stopping henceforth. The taste of glory was the sweetest moment.
The urge for more silverware became a reality, and nothing was going to stop Oyugi Ogango Girls from walking that path.
“The taste of success was so inspiring and sweet that we resolved to make history. We wanted to be in the annals of Kenya Secondary Schools games history,” Obuya said.
Three titles and trophy for keeps
The beginning was in 2023, when the school won the nationals. That history resorted to changing the trend in netball.
Previously, no single team had won the netball competition in a row. The title kept changing hands from one team to another.
But that was not to be the case with the mighty Oyugi Ogango Girls. The history makers.
When the trophy arrived in Rakwaro, the home of the legend, just some 2 kilometres from the former provincial administrator’s home, it found peace and glory.
“The trophy found a haven and comfort. No more tossing from one region to another. No shorter visitation. We have built a home, and now because we have won it three times consecutively, it stays here permanently. What an achievement and history,” said Derick Wariadho, a coach.
He said in netball, it is not easy for a team to beat an opponent twice in a row, but for Oyugi Ogango, that is a norm and a milestone.
Story behind the success
The journey to success is torturous, tiring, and dispiriting at times, but success is sweet and has many friends.
The story behind the success is hinged on various factors: hard work, passion, commitment, discipline, and dedication.
Without the above pillars, success would be elusive, and that is how the principal modelled her team to victory.
“When the top espouses the above tenets, success will easily come home. That is why we have been able to make it as national champions and show good encounters of ourselves at the East African Sports,” said coach Dolphin Oyugi.
She said the technical bench and the girls are so passionate, dedicated, disciplined, and committed to the deliverables.
The principal gave more time for training and opportunities to blend.
Inspiration
Currently, the team is inspired to win the East Africa trophy and has been training for the event.
They are optimistic about retaining the nationals but have their eyes on the East Africa games.
“We are inspired to face off against the four Ugandan teams. They have dominated the game, and it is time we changed the story. We cannot accept allowing the comfort the Ugandan teams have enjoyed for decades to continue,” Okello said.
But Oyugi Ogango has been making steady progress in rewriting the story of Ugandan teams and last year only lost by a margin of 5.
“We have our eyes on the final and the cup. St Mary Kitende from 2023 have been winning, and in 2023 they beat us by 23 scores, in 2024 by 12, and last year by a margin of 5. If you look at the deviation, it tells a positive story,” he said.
Camp and talent nurturing
The school is focused on talent development and often invites prospects to a camp where the successful ones are integrated into the school team.
“During the holidays, we invite those who wish to join us from Grade 10 and Form Three. Those who come for training, we retain those who have qualified,” he said.
Competitors
The main challengers to Oyugi Ogango Girls in the Nyanza region include Asumbi Girls, Nyakach, Kobala, Lambwe, Kandaria, and Nyabera.
At the national level include Bumala, Bukholo from Bungoma, St Joseph Kitale, Anderseen, Kinale from Central Kenya, and Kaya Tiwi.
The deliverer
The principal is a believer in holistic education, and that is why she complements academics with sports.
She believes academics and sports go together in creating a complete and unique human resource for the country.
That is why Oyugi Ogango Girls is currently synonymous with netball in the country.
Through her efforts, some of the players have been invited for trials with the national team under 18 in previous years.
In her office, trophies and awards do the speaking and are a sign of delivery.
