By James Wakahiu
It was Christmas come early at Mount Kenya University (MKU)
campuses this week as thousands of students celebrated their sports
teams who walked away with nearly all major at the just concluded
Kenya University Games Kenya Universities Sports Federations (KUSF)
games. The event was held at the University of Nairobi between
December 16 to December 22nd.
The institution won the best university women overall award, top men’s
team award and the best overall prize.
It bagged 30 gold, 13 silver and
19 bronze medals, a total of 62 medals that enabled it beat 15 other
universities.
Strathmore University was runners up with 17 gold, eight silver and
five bronze (30 medals. Hosts University of Nairobi came third with 54
medals (15 gold, 11 silver, 28 bronze). They were followed by Maseno
(33 medals) and Masinde Muliro (21 medals).
Mr. William Luta, MKU’s Sports and Creative Arts Coordinator was
elated by the results.
Photo/ MKU sports teams with trophies after winning the overall best university award at the just concluded Kenya University Games Kenya Universities Sports Federations (KUSF) games held at the University of Nairobi.
“I am proud of this young sportsmen, this achievement has been solemnly gained through hard work
in training, consistency, team work, and most importantly by God’s
grace. As a university, we are determined to ensure our students are
trained, facilitated and exposed in matters talent,” he added.
Luta said the win was no mean achievement as the university faced off
serious competition from other competing, among them Strathmore and
University of Nairobi.
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PhotoMKU sports team captains posing for a photo with trophies after winning the overall best university award at the concluded Kusf games.
“Our strategy of picking a few teams to represent
the University in specific sports unlike our competitors that went all out
to field teams in all sports worked out in our favour. We did the vetting
and selected teams to represent us in September, their after we put up a
very tight preparation and training schedule including weekend road
runs,” he said.
The Kenya Universities Sports Federations (KUSF), in conjunction with
the University of Nairobi, had organized the 9th Inter University Games
at the main campus in Nairobi. The games were held under the theme;
“Promoting Academic Excellence through Sports.
Photo/2. MKU ladies team captains show off trophies, including the overall best university award, won at the just concluded Kusf games
The event, commonly known as KUSF National is a multi-sport
university sport event, is organised in December of every odd year (on a
two years cycle) and was held from 16th to 22nd December 2023.
Athletes from degree awarding institutions, who are pursuing at least a
full time recognised one year academic course, competing in 21 men and
women sports disciplines including; football, basketball, volleyball,
hockey, netball, athletics, swimming, karate, softball, frisbee,
taekwondo, chess, badminton, scrabble, darts, table tennis, tennis, rugby
7s, basketball 3×3, swimming, floorball, baseball five, woodball, roll
ball, demonstration sport (kabaddi).
Mt Kenya University founder and chairman Board of the Board Prof
Simon Gicharu recently urged students of institutions of higher learning
to take advantage of e-sports to enhance problem-solving skills and
strategic thinking. He pointed out electronic sports or gaming have
several advantages over physical sports in that they are open to all
regardless of physical abilities or background.
Photo/ Thanks
“The e-sports also open up career opportunities in game development,
event management and broadcasting,” said Gicharu during a launch of
electronic sports (e-sports) at Mt Kigali University in Rwanda branch.
During a graduation ceremony held in Thika town on December 8,
where more than 5,700 students graduated, Vice-Chancellor Prof
Deogratius said the university has strengthened the Staff Fitness Centre
and various staff wellness initiatives.
The VC said students enabled differently also participate in co-curricular
activities. “During the year, eleven of our visually impaired students
participated in a charity event of climbing Mt. Longonot; this event was
organized by the Kenya Society for the Blind,” he added.
Ends
