By Shyat Moi Lemoshira

Basketball
This weekend, the USIU-Africa men's basketball team, the Tigers faced off with Strathmore University Blades in their first 3 games of the Kenya Basketball National League playoff finals at the Nyayo Stadium, Basketball Gymnasium. Game 1 occurred on Friday, May 26 at 6pm. The Blades had their crosshairs trained on the Tigers and sank multiple shots leading the game for three quarters in a row by a huge margin. The Tigers regrouped, and were able to secure a victory in the fourth quarter, ending the game at 64-62. Deng Kuol AKA Mareba displayed a great performance with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. Peter Kajumbe also had a stellar performance, with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

The Blades bounced back in Game 2 with a 63-58 win over the Tigers on Saturday, May 27 at 4pm. Game 3 took place on Sunday, May 28 at 6pm and it was a fantastic win for the Tigers who drubbed the Blades 67-48 after dominating in all quarters. Kudos to Yobesh George, 6th man of the match, who made 17 points with 4 three pointers, 2 assists and 2 blocks in 20 minutes. Mareba kept the Tigers up in the lead with 15 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals and 8 blocks in Game 3. Game 4 of the series between the USIU-Africa Tigers versus Strathmore Blades will take place on Saturday, June 3 at the Nyayo Stadium, Basketball Gymnasium at 8pm while Game 5 will be Sunday, June 4 at 4pm in the same venue.

The USIU-Africa basketball ladies’ team, the Flames, also began their playoff final series against Zetech Development on Saturday, May 27 at 12pm where they unfortunately lost 65-66 to the opposition. The Flames were able to gain some ground in Game 2 on Sunday, May 28 at 2pm with a 53-42 win.
The series continues with Game 3 on Friday, June 2 at the Nyayo Stadium basketball Gymnasium at 6pm. Game 4 will take place on Saturday June 3 at 4pm while Game 5 is to happen on Sunday June 4 at 2pm.

Hockey
The USIU-Africa hockey men’s team, Team Mashujaa, played against Butali, the former champions of the Kenya Hockey Premier League, on Saturday, May 27 at 6pm. Butali were in the lead with 2-0 before Team Mashujaa were given a penalty shot converted by Larry, while Robbin Muyendo scored a splendid goal in the last minutes of the 4th quarter to make the match equal (2-2). Team Mashujaa will be facing Strathmore Gladiators in a Kenya Hockey Premier League match on Saturday June 3 at 6pm in City Park Stadium, Parklands.

Further, the USIU-Africa hockey ladies AKA Team Spartans had two matches against Lakers and Blazers on Saturday, May 27 at 4pm and Sunday, May 28 at 4pm respectively. Team Spartans drew 1-1 against Lakers but lost to Blazers 1-3. They will be playing against Wolverines on Thursday June 1 in City Park Stadium, Parklands at 11am. Come and support Team Spartans as they seek victory in the Madaraka Day celebrations.

Chess
The USIU-Africa chess team participated in the first rounds of the Chess Kenya Super League that took place on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 at the KCB Sports Club. They drubbed Nairobi Chess Club Team C 5-0, beat Lighthouse Queens 3-2 and lost to Mavens Warriors 1-4. They are currently ranked 6th in the league as we wish them the best as they progress to other rounds. The team was composed of Chitundu Limbikani, Tapiwa Chimbwanda, Tandy Milare, Clifford Ombiro, Stephen Woresha and Fred Eric Baden.

Swimming
The USIU-Africa swimming team, the Dolphins, competed in a Nairobi County Aquatics Association (NCAA) swimming gala competition at Makini School that commenced on Saturday, May 27 and ended on Sunday, May 28. The men won 6 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 3 bronze medals, overall attaining 11 medals in total. The men's team emerged 6th position overall out of 20 other schools. The women's team emerged 7th position out of 18, with 6 gold medals,4 silver medals and 7 bronze medals.

The men and women did an outstanding job with securing individual medals and relay medals as well. Ritah Mbabazi won a gold medal in the 200m freestyle event in the 16 years and over category, Kelsey Karanja won gold in her 50m butterfly event, and 100m freestyle event, both in the 16 years and over category. Tamara Kimeu achieved a bronze medal in her 100m freestyle event and a bronze medal in her 50m backstroke event. In the 100m breaststroke, John Omanga emerged 2nd place and Joshua Isige was third place. Ibrahim Omar won 1st place in the 50m breaststroke while Daryl Anjichi won 3rd place in the same event.

Overall, the ladies secured 2nd place in most of the relays except for the 800m freestyle relay where they secured a gold medal. The men outdid themselves and secured gold in their relay event, while the mixed relays comprising of both ladies and gentlemen, secured second place for their activities.

Faraja Water Challenge
A selected team of sports representatives led by Antony Oketch, the Chair for the Sports Activities Committee (SPAC) were representing USIU-Africa, sponsored by Dr. Chandaria, in the Faraja Water Raft Challenge that occurred on Saturday, May 27 in the Savage Wilderness Camp, Sagana. Faraja’s annual White Water Rafting Challenge is an annual event organised by Faraja Cancer Support Trust in partnership with Savage Wilderness Camp and was sponsored by Sayani Investments, KPMG-East Africa, Great Rift Valley Lodge, Diani Reef Hotel and NCBA Bank. The other USIU-Africa sports representatives include: Roserania Njoki (netball player), Princess Ursula, (SPAC’s secretary and captain for Track Games), Haji Okwato (taekwondo captain) and Fred Okoth (rugby player for USIU-Africa Martials). The team participated on that morning and were ranked 7th out of the 11 participants for the morning session. The Faraja trust Group was able to raise 5.1 million form 22 teams and 400 spectators.

Kick Boxing
A kickboxing tournament was held in USIU-Africa on Saturday May 27. USIU-Africa got 5 medals in the tournament. Individual performances were as follows: Coco Hawi played ladies category under 63 category and won a gold medal. Mina Visavadia snatched a silver medal in the ladies under 60kg category. Ryan Wanjiru won a silver medal in men's under 60kgs category.

Volleyball
The USIU-Africa Gladiators will be heading to Strathmore University to have friendly matches on Saturday, June 3; the USIU-Africa volleyball ladies’ team will face Strathmore Panthers at 11am while the USIU-Africa volleyball men’s team will play against the Strathmore Jaguars at 1pm.

Soccer
The USIU-Africa Wolves, the soccer men’s team, will be having a friendly match against the United Nations Staff team on Sunday, June 4 in the United Nations grounds, Gigiri at 11am. The soccer ladies’ team will be also having a friendly match against Valeo on Saturday, June 3 at the USIU-Africa pitch at 11am.