Kisii University seek to defend athletics title in varsity event

JKUAT's Emmanuel Silungi (left) is tackled by Kelvin Gathu of Kenyatta University in a past KUSA 15-aside rugby match. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Hosts Kisii University will be seeking to defend their Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Western Conference athletics title in this weekend’s competition.

The University’s games tutor David Obungu yesterday exuded confidence that his team will retain the men’s and women’s athletics titles which they won in the year 2019. The event starts today.

The games were not held last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Kisii will also hope to defend the men’s tug of war title.

“We have had good preparations. The men and women who will represent us have been training for the better part of the year. I’m happy that they are now able to compete following resumption of sports activities,” Obungu said.

So far, six teams have confirmed their participation but the organisers were still expecting more confirmations before closing the registration last evening.

Those that have confirmed include Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Kibabii University, Kabianga University, Kaimosi University College, Rongo University and hosts Kisii University.

“Our biggest threat is MMUST, Kibabii and Kabianga but we are ready for them,” said Obungu.  

He added that the university’s volleyball team which finished third in the recent KUSA playoffs will take part in the 1st Heroes Community Tournament at Koitalel Samoei University.

The coach said that Kisii University will field soccer, handball, netball, table tennis, scrabble, badminton, and chess teams at Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology (JKUAT) Inter- Campuses Sports Tournament to be held at Cardinal Otunga High School Mosocho.