JKUAT Assassins crowned Kabaddi champions

JKUAT Assassins celebrate after prevailing 56-45 upon RDU Kabaddi Club at Kasarani Stadium Indoor Arena. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

JKUAT Assassins were crowned the champions of the Men's category in the Kenya Kabaddi Premier League 2023/24 on Saturday after beating RDU KC 56-45 in a pulsating final at Kasarani Indoors Arena.

This follows a thrilling season that commenced on August 5, 2023.

The league, which featured 12 teams, was played in a round-robin format, with each team facing each other twice.

After a competitive league stage, the top six teams, led by the Githurai Cheetahs, JKUAT Assassins, Black Falcons, UON Tigers, KU Hawks, and RDU KC, qualified for the play offs.

RDU KC beat the Black Falcons 65-27 in the first playoff match, while the UoN Tigers clawed their way to victory against the KU Hawks.

The team continued their winning streak by defeating the Githurai Cheetahs 61-54 in the semi-finals to book a final date with the JKUAT Assassins, who stopped the UoN Tigers.

The championship match was between the JKUAT Assassins, who were declared the champions after silencing RDU in the final.

"The playoff format brought out the best in the teams," said Kenya Kabaddi Union acting Secretary General Japheth Munyendo.

"With the Githurai Cheetahs and JKUAT Assassins securing direct berths to the semi-finals, the stakes were high," he added.

In the Women's category, the competition was equally fierce, with six teams vying for the title.

The UoN Tigress and Black Falcon Babes secured direct entries to the semi-finals, while the Pink Sharks and Kayole Divas battled their way through the knockout matches.

The final showdown saw the Black Falcon Babes trounce Kayole Divas to lift the prestigious Kenya Kabaddi Premier League title.

"This league has piled pressure on our technical department. We've resolved to use verifiable projections for national team selection. The performances have consistently indicated that the sport has developed. Almost every participant is ripe for the national team. We want to conquer Africa and the world. This forum is a recipe for such global success," Munyendo said.