Moi wins first Kenyan gold at varsity games

Moi University John Ochar (right) is tackled by Alex Mulianda of Eldoret RFC during their Chebarbar 7s semi-finals match at Eldoret Sports Club on October 4, 2014. Moi University won Kenya’s first gold medal at the ongoing Eastern Africa University Games at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus in Mukono. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA |

What you need to know:

  • Lydia Chekumi of Moi University won the 5,000m women race in a time of 17:32:02 to pick the first gold for Kenyan universities after a disappointing start. Chekumi led from gun-to-tape.
  • KEMU clash with MKU in an all Kenyan quarter-final while USIU will take on home team Makerere University for a place in the semi finals.
  • Kampala International University were crowned champions of the Karate event beating Ndejje University to second place.

Moi University won Kenya’s first gold medal at the ongoing Eastern Africa University Games at the Uganda Christian University (UCU) main campus in Mukono.

Lydia Chekumi of Moi University won the 5,000m women race in a time of 17:32:02 to pick the first gold for Kenyan universities after a disappointing start. Chekumi led from gun-to-tape.

“It was a tough race with the course a bit difficult because of the weather, but in the end I stuck to my tactics and focused on finishing strongly,” Chekumi told Ugandan online publication Kawowo Sports.

Joshua Cheptegei of Bugema University (Uganda) won the 10,000m race in 29:20:90 beating Kenyan runners who had been expected to claim top honours in the race.

Kenyan universities dominated hockey with United States International University (USIU) whipping KISII 4-0 in the opener. Two goals each from Isaac Kamau and John Kabuu set the Kenyan team on to victory.

KEMU BEAT NKOZI
Maseno University and USIU played to a goalless draw before another all-Kenyan affair involving Strathmore and Jomo Kenyatta Universities ended 0-0.

Eldoret University held Makerere University in another non scoring duel. Kenya also dominated rugby with Kenya Methodist University (KEMU), Mount Kenya University (MKU) and USIU all qualifying for the quarter-finals.

KEMU beat Nkozi from Uganda 26-0 in the first match before MKU eased past Kyambogo 36-0.

USIU made it a hat trick of Kenyan wins pipping Dodoma University in the last match.

KEMU clash with MKU in an all Kenyan quarter-final while USIU will take on home team Makerere University for a place in the semi finals.

CHAMPIONS
Uganda’s Ndeje University top the medal standings with three gold medals which they scooped from stroke play wood ball event doubles and mixed doubles categories. In the game, players use clubs to hit a ball into a hole.

Kampala International University were crowned champions of the Karate event beating Ndejje University to second place.

In basketball, Kyambogo University registered a 38-30 win over Mountains of the Moon University from Zanzibar.

University of Rwanda overcame JKUAT 43-31 whilst hosts UCU were 39-36 victors over KIU. In men’s football, Kampala International University (KIU) walloped Tanzania’s Masinde Muliro 6-0.