PURE DOMINANCE: JKUAT lead exemplary show by Kenyan universities in EA games

UoN's Cathy Agunda (LEFT) and Miriam Ngigi of JKUAT during the East African Universities games at JKUAT on Saturday, Dec 17, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kenyan universities oozed class yesterday on the last day of this year’s East Africa Inter Universities Games at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat), in Juja.

It was a befitting end for Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), who won gold in women’s football by beating Uganda’s Kyambogo University 2-0.

MMUST took an early lead after Vivian Kuteru scored from a corner in the 17th minute. Before that goal, it was a tight affiar, too close to call.

Kyambogo made several attempts in search of parity, but their finishing was quite imperfect. The Ugandan’s hope of winning the match was dented in the second half by Edna Sumba, who made it 2-0 in the 70th minute.

On their way to the final, MMUST defeated hosts JKUAT 3-0, while Kyambogo defeated Kampala 1-0.

In men’s handball, Strathmore University overcame strong opposition from Uganda’s Ndejje University to win gold medal after a 33-24 final score. Strathmore beat Mount Kenya University(MKU) 19-14, while Ndejje won 21-16 against Kenyatta University in the semifinal matches.

Kampala beat Kenyatta University 20-15 to win women’s handball playoffs, while MKU defeated Kenyatta University 23-21 in men’s handball playoffs.

KU had a field day in badminton as they cruised over a hapless Ndejje to record an easy 3-0 win in the final.

Even before the celebrations cooled down, KU were at it again, this time in men’s hockey final, where they won gold after defeating JKUAT 2-1. United States International University (USIU) won bronze after they defeated University of Eldoret (UOE) 9-8 in a penalty shootout.

Meanwhile, Strathmore University defeated USIU 2-0 in post match penalties to win gold in women’s hockey final.

It was double joy for Uganda Christian University (UCU), who defended their basketball trophies. The men’s team won 61-49 against Ndejje, while their women team defeated Strathmore 47-26.

On their way to women’s basketball final, Strathmore defeated KU 36-25, while USIU lost 34-67 to UCU.

KU beat USIU 36-24 to win women’s bronze, while Strathmore edged KU 49-41 to win men’s third place playoffs match.

“We tried our best, but failed to qualify for the final,” said USIU coach George Mayienga.