The 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) Term Two National Games have not even kicked off, yet several teams have already seen their dreams of national glory shattered.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsWith schools set to report to Thika on Friday ahead of the championships, the ongoing verification exercise has exposed widespread eligibility irregularities, leading to a wave of disqualifications across different disciplinesOn Wednesday alone, Rift Valley football champions Tenwek High School and Central Region representatives Ruthagati High School were disqualified following the verification process.##NAJAVA_MECA_9869963##In volleyball, Malava Boys are facing a similar fate, while Archbishop Njenga remains under scrutiny over the eligibility of some of its players.The developments follow a two-week audit that examined players' academic and registration records before the start of the championships.The exercise, guided by recommendations contained in the KSSSA ICT Audit Report, has uncovered inconsistencies in player documentation, forcing the replacement of several regional champions.KSSSA: Kesogon Girls eye national glory as volleyball rivals prepare for another showdown with KwanthanzeWith national champions also earning the right to represent Kenya at the FEASSSA Games in Morogoro, Tanzania, KSSSA has intensified efforts to ensure only eligible students participate in the competition.Why are schools being disqualified?The KSSSA Constitution leaves little room for error when it comes to player eligibility.Under Section 11 of the constitution, every player must be a bona fide student of the school they represent.STARS ABROAD: Kenyan-eligible defender impresses in narrow pre-season defeat to LiverpoolFor team sports including football, volleyball, basketball, handball, rugby, hockey, badminton, table tennis, and netball, students are only allowed to play for their own schools.Unlike athletics and a few other individual sports where composite teams are permitted, team sports require every player to satisfy strict admission and registration requirements.One of the key regulations is the 90-day admission rule. A player must have been enrolled in the school at least 90 days before ward-level preliminaries begin.##NAJAVA_MECA_9869964##Since February 15 is recognised as the official start of preliminaries, eligible students should have joined their schools by November 15 of the previous year.The only exception applies to Form One, now Grade 10, students, while Form Five learners only become eligible after completing one academic year unless they are continuing students under the international curriculum.The constitution further limits participation to a maximum of six continuous years after completing KCPE, provided all other eligibility conditions are met.KSSSA: Green Commandos back where they belong as Luche targets record-extending 15th national titleDocumentation under the microscopeDocumentation has emerged as the biggest stumbling block during this year's verification exercise.Every player is required to produce a school identity card, a certified birth certificate, certified copies of KCPE or KJSEA certificates or result slips, a principal-certified team list, a certified group photograph with the school head, and a certified photo album.The documents must accurately capture critical details, including the student's admission number, admission date, date of birth, class, and examination year.##NAJAVA_MECA_9867727##For transferred students, schools must also indicate the previous school and date of transfer, while repeaters are required to disclose their year of repetition.Most of the teams flagged during the ongoing audit have reportedly been affected by inconsistencies involving dates of birth, admission records, and other supporting documents.Strict transfer rulesKSSSA has also tightened regulations governing player transfers.KSSSA: Meet the seven schools eyeing national title in ThikaStudents moving from international schools must wait one year before becoming eligible for competition.Likewise, where more than two students transfer from one school to another and join the same team, all the transferred players become ineligible for one year.The regulations are designed to discourage schools from assembling teams through mass recruitment shortly before competitions.AFC Leopards add steel to defense with signing of Kariobangi Sharks captainHeavy penalties await offendersSchools found fielding ineligible players risk immediate disqualification, while repeat offenders could face further disciplinary action.Sanctions apply to institutions that breach the 90-day admission rule, present false or altered documents, exceed the six-year participation limit, violate transfer regulations or field Form Four repeaters who have already sat their national examinations.Complaints regarding player eligibility must be lodged in writing with the KSSSA secretary on either the first or second day of the championship.##NAJAVA_MECA_9868124##Schools making false accusations risk a Ksh20,000 fine, while institutions unable to produce authentic supporting documents face automatic disqualification.To strengthen the verification process, KSSSA now cross-checks players' records against the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), making digital verification a crucial tool in protecting the integrity of the national championships.