MKU player James Ayugi bags MVP as Kusa Nairobi North Conference eyes national play-offs
Basketball
By
Ochieng Oyugi
| Aug 08, 2021
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.
"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.
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