Sports Updates - February 10
By Shyat Lemoshira
Basketball
The USIU-Africa Tigers, the basketball men’s team, had two matches on Saturday, February 4. First, they faced Gretsa University in a Kenya University Sports Association (KUSA) match in Kenyatta University (KU) which they clobbered them 71-30. The final match of the day was between the Tigers and Strathmore Blades in a Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) division one league match at the USIU-Africa basketball court at 4.30pm. As soon as the game started, it was tight from the 3rd quarter up to the end of the 4th quarter. The USIU-Africa Tigers roared to victory with a 59-50 win. Ariel Ortega had a spectacular performance with 26 points after making six 3 point shots. The Tigers faced JKUAT on Sunday, February 5 in a KUSA match in KU but lost 42-21.
The USIU-Africa Flames, the basketball ladies team, trounced Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology (KWUST) with a 100-10 win in a KUSA match on Saturday, February 4 in KU. They also faced Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) in a KBF division one league match on Sunday, February 5 at the USIU-Africa basketball court. They beat them 81-26. Finally, they went to KU afterwards to play against Daystar University and the match ended 64-31 in favor of the Flames.
Soccer
The USIU-Africa Wolves, the soccer men’s team, had two games over the weekend. They had their first win over Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI) with 3-0 walkover on Saturday, February 4 in KU. They also played against Mount Kenya University (MKU) on Sunday, February 5 in KU which they unfortunately lost 1-2 in favor of MKU. Samuel Tobi was the Wolves’ goal scorer of the day as he was assisted by Taji Mwangola. In addition, it was a good debut performance from the new goalkeeper Rodrick Kalinda. The Wolves will clash against Saint’s Paul University (SPU) on Saturday, February 11 at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) at 1pm.
The soccer ladies team, the USIU-Africa Falcons, have two matches this weekend. They will play against JKUAT (W) on Saturday, February 11 at 11am at JKUAT pitch C and Mpesa Academy on Sunday, February 12 at JKUAT pitch B.
Volleyball
The USIU-Africa Gladiators, the volleyball men’s team, had three matches in KU. They played against Saint’s Paul University (SPU) and Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) on Saturday, February 4 . The Gladiators lost to SPU in three sets: 14-25, 23-25 and 12-25. The volleyball men’s team lost to KCA in all rounds:21-25, 11-25 and 14-25. The team’s final match was against Gretsa University and they lost 11-25, 16-25 and 21-25 in all 3 sets.
The Gladiator sisters, the volleyball ladies team, had their first win (3-1) this weekend over Gretsa in their KUSA match on Saturday, February 4 in KU. These are the scores for 4 sets: 26- 18, 25-16, 24-26 and 25-20. The volleyball ladies will JKUAT (W) on Saturday, February 11 at 10.30am in KU.
Rugby
The rugby men’s team, the USIU-Africa Martials, traveled to Nakuru to face Kabarak University in a Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) championship match. They lost to the away team 23-8. The Martials will be facing team Eldoret on Saturday, February 11 in the USIU-Africa rugby grounds at 3pm.
Chess
Team Phoenix, the chess team, participated in the Kenya Youths Chess Association (KYCA) Chess Festival tournament in KCA which occurred on both Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5. 5 players represented USIU-Africa: Chitundu Limbikani, Tapiwa Chimbwanda, Clifford Ombiro, Baden Eric Fred and Tandy Milare. They were two main categories: blitz and rapid. Chitundu Limbikani, the captain of the team, was ranked 2nd in the rapid category and 10th in the blitz category while Tapiwa Chimbwanda became 26th in rapid and 19th in blitz which was a great performance from both individuals. They will be participating in KUSA championships in KU on Saturday, February 11.
Netball
The USIU-Africa Hurricanes, the netball team played against Gretsa University on Saturday, February 4 and lost 16-0. They have a KUSA match against Daystar on Saturday, February 12 at 1.30pm in KU.
Handball
The handball ladies team lost 16-0 to SPU on Saturday, February 4 which was an improvement in defense from their previous match. We as the Sports Activities Committee (SPAC) and the Sports Office urge the team to continue to train and boost their confidence in ameliorating their skills. They will face team Mount Kenya University (MKU) on Saturday, February 12 in KU at 12pm.
Swimming
The USIU-Africa Dolphins, the swimming team will be heading to Mombasa to participate in the Mombasa County Aquatics Association competitions that will occur from Friday, February 10 to Sunday, February 12.
Hockey
Team Mashujaa, the hockey men’s team, will be traveling to Yala school for a tournament this weekend. Team Spartans, the hockey ladies team, will have two KUSA matches against SPU on Saturday, February 11 at 9am and MKU on Sunday, February 12 at 9am in KU.
Athletics
The track team will be having games in KU on Saturday, February 11.
Woodball
The woodball team will play in USIU-Africa fields on Saturday, February 11 and in KU on Sunday, 12 February for a friendly and KUSA championship respectively.
Other Indoor Games
Tennis and badminton will be heading to Yala School in Kisumu for a tournament in the weekend. The Karate team will have KUSA championships on Saturday, February 11 at the USIU-Africa Martial Arts room while the Taekwondo team will have theirs on Sunday, February 12 in the USIU-Africa Auditorium.