USIU-Africa Triumphs at the 3rd Eastern Africa University Women Championships 2024

By John Sande, Tamara Kimeu and Lynn Mwangi

What an Easter sporting weekend it was as USIU-Africa dispatched a contingent of its sports teams for the various sporting activities held within the country and across the borders. During the Eastern Africa University Women Championships 2024 held at the Nelson Mandela Institution of Science and Technology in Arusha, Tanzania, from March 28-30, our ladies’ teams comprising swimming, netball, volleyball, lawn tennis, woodball, handball and chess were on ground to battle it out for the gold. This is how they performed:

Netball

On March 29, the ladies’ team had a match against Dodoma University and they lost 41-53 and another game against Mzumbe University and lost 35-39. Overall, the team was awarded bronze medals and a trophy for clinching the third position and the goals were scored by Nasra Msangi and Paulinho.

Swimming

Hosted by the International School Moshi in Arusha, Tanzania, the swimming competition witnessed fierce rivalry and remarkable athleticism among the participating schools. Notably, the event showcased the dominance of USIU-Africa Dolphins, who clinched the top position overall, with Kenyatta University (KU) securing the runners-up spot.

In the 200 meters Individual Medley, USIU-Africa displayed their prowess with Nasimiyu Wena securing the first position, followed by Hadassah Gichovi in second place, highlighting the team's depth of talent. Moving on to the 200 meters Medley Relay, the USIU-Africa team, comprised of Nasimiyu Wena, Justine Nelson, and Victoria Okumu, emerged victorious, showcasing exceptional teamwork and coordination.

The 200 meters freestyle event saw USIU-Africa's Victoria Okumu leading the pack, followed by Tamara Kimeu and Chloe Muthoni, securing the second and third positions respectively, further solidifying USIU-Africa's dominance in the competition. In the 100 meters Backstroke, Hadassah Gichovi from USIU-Africa Dolphins team showcased her exceptional skill, claiming the top spot, with Justine Nelson and Suzanne Njuki from the same team securing the second and third positions respectively.

Overall, the competition not only highlighted individual excellence but also emphasized the collective strength and camaraderie within the USIU-Africa swimming team.

The championship was organized by the Federation of Eastern Africa University Sports (FEAUS) mandated under the International University Sports Federation (FISU) to oversee university sports activity in the Eastern Zone. FISU is the global body responsible for the organization and governance of worldwide sports competitions for student-athletes. The championship attracted athletes from various universities across East Africa.

Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Hockey Women Games

The women’s team participated in the Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA) Hockey Women Games over the weekend. On the first day of the tournament, the team faced a tough challenge against Moi University. Despite a valiant effort, the match ended in a draw, leading to a shootout. Unfortunately, Moi University emerged victorious in the shootout, marking a close defeat for the team. Despite the loss, the team displayed resilience and sportsmanship, setting a positive tone for the tournament.

The second day saw the team regroup and demonstrate exceptional performance. Facing Masinde Muliro University, the team showcased remarkable skill and determination throughout the match. Despite a strong showing, the game ended in another draw, necessitating a shootout. However, luck was not on their side, and Masinde Muliro University emerged victorious in the shootout, resulting in another closely contested loss.