MKU ladies' teams shine at East Africa University games

A section of MKU's badminton team. [Gitau Wanyoike, Standard]

Mount Kenya University (MKU) ladies’ teams delivered outstanding performances at the just-concluded East Africa University Games (FEAS), held at Maseno University from December 15 to 21, 2024.

Despite facing fierce competition, the badminton and woodball ladies’ teams emerged victorious in their respective categories.

In athletics, 18-year-old Viona Wangari, a Bachelor of Oral Health student, made waves by clinching silver medals in both the 100m and 200m finals, denying Ugandan athletes a clean sweep of the podium.

Other notable performances came from MKU's teams in athletics, taekwondo, karate, tennis, chess, darts, scrabble, table tennis, and volleyball. Overall, MKU finished 9th in the medal standings, securing 7 gold, 5 silver, and 14 bronze medals in a competition that brought together 38 universities from across East Africa.

Mr William Luta, MKU’s Sports Coordinator, commended the teams’ resilience, acknowledging the challenges faced during the event, including last-minute lineup changes necessitated by players prioritizing exams.

“We had to work with those available, making last-minute changes to ensure students with exams could stay on campus. Despite this, the young men and women fought valiantly to deliver these results. I saw players competing through injuries and tears, showcasing their passion and pride in representing MKU,” he said.

Mr Luta emphasized the importance of investing in individual sports through scholarships to enhance MKU’s competitiveness. “If we aim to match the top three finishers, we must offer sports-related scholarships and continue supporting our athletes.”

The East Africa University Games brought together the region’s best talent, highlighting the spirit of sportsmanship and determination among university students.