MKU player James Ayugi bags MVP as Kusa Nairobi North Conference eyes national play-offs

Mount Kenya University powerforward James Ayugi after he was voted Most Valuable Player in basketball during the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) North Conference League awards held in Thika on Saturday 7,August 2021. [PHOTOS: JONAH ONYANGO]

James Ayugi of Mount Kenya University, Thika Campus, emerged the Most Valuable Player at the just concluded 2021 Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Nairobi North Conference League.

The 19-year old power forward led his side to a podium finish with 18 points in basketball.

His most memorable game was against Mount Kenya University (MKU) Nairobi Campus where he sunk a game-high 23 points.

KU Ladies volleyball team Celestine Anyango during KUSA League Sports Awards at Mount Kenya University. August 07, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

"I want to thank my coach and teammates for making this dream a reality," the Journalism and Mass Media student told Standard Sports.

Ayugi was speaking during the conference award luncheon held in Thika at the weekend.

The lanky and soft-spoken player said he really worked hard to be in the best shape for the league that run from February to August.

"I joined our university team this season, what helped me to stand out among the rest was my ability to go the extra mile.

"I had my own training sessions apart from the schedule we had with our coach," he says.

Apart from his stint with MKU, Ayugi also features for the Urbanville Basketball Club that plies trade in the Kisumu Central Basketball League.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) team during KUSA League Sports Awards at MKU. August 07, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Inspired Ayugi now promises fireworks ahead of the Kusa national play-offs slated for August 13-15 at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) in Juja.

 MKU and Kenyatta University (KU) will represent the zone in basketball.

Kusa Nairobi North Conference League Secretary-General, William Luta, said only top two teams in each discipline will represent their cluster in the national play-offs.

"I urge our teams to uphold integrity and professionalism.

"Sports is big business, you need the above virtues to attract sponsors," said Luta.

Luta explained the committee, which also comprises of conference chairman Samuel Litaba and treasurer Moses Ondeng, ensured the season was run in accordance with the strict Covid-19 protocols laid down by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sports.

Keziah Gakahu, the Dean of Student, Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology, urged the players to embrace fitness as away of life.

"We are glad the league gave the students a chance to sharpen their sporting skills.

"Sports has lots of benefits, apart from being healthy, students who engage in extra curriculum activities do excel academically," Gakahu said.

MKU Dean of Student, Emmanuel Owuor, also reiterated Gakahu's sentiments saying fitness should be a lifetime activity.

"If you are fit you can do so much in life," Owuor said.

Universities that are part of the Kusa North Conference League are MKU, Gretsa University , Kenyatta University, Jkuat, Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) Kiriri Women's University , Pan African Christian University , Daystar University , USIU Africa and St. Pauls University.

During the awards in Thika, MKU, KU and Jkuat were voted best universities overall in the league in that order.

MKU scooped the most disciplined award.

Best host award went to MKU and KU who equally shared the podium.

Kenyatta University women's hockey side was among the most improved teams in the league.

Fairplay award went to Daystar University basketball team and Kenyatta University football side.

Kusa North Conference League national play-offs representatives

Football men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Football women

1.MKU
2.K.U

Basketball men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Basketball women

1.K.U,Nairobi campus
2.MKU

Handball men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Handball women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Volleyball men

1.MKU
2.K.U

Volleyball women

1.K.U
2.Kiriri Women's University

Hockey men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Hockey women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Netball

1.K.U
2.MKU

Table Tennis men

1.MKU
2.K.U

Table Tennis women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Tennis men

1.Jkuat
2.K.U

Tennis women

1.Jkuat
2.K.U

Badminton men

1.MKU
2.K.U

Badminton women

1.MKU
2.K.U

Woodball men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Woodball women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Rollball men

1.Gretsa University
2.K.U

Rollball women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Chess men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Chess women

1.K.U
2.MKU

Scrabble men

1.K.U
2.MKU

Scrabble women

1.MKU
2.K.U

Darts men

1.Daystar
2.K.U

Darts women

1.Kiriri
2.Gretsa

Athletics
1.K.U
2.MKU

E-Sports

1.MKU
2.K.U