Kisii University has thrown the gauntlet ahead of the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) Women’s Championships to be held at Taita Taveta University next week.
KUSF Secretary General Joan Andalo said a total of 24 universities have confirmed their participation for the March 6- 8 championships.
They are hosts TTU, KeMU, UoN, KU, MKU, Kabarak, Machakos, Meru, JKUAT, DeKUT, Zetech, Multimedia, UoE, Lukenya, Tharaka, Kaimosi, Maseno, Kisii, KCA, Embu, and TUM, among others.
The championship will feature football, handball, netball, hockey, chess, volleyball, taekwondo, darts, karate, softball, scrabble, athletics, basketball, badminton, rollball, table tennis, freesbie, and tennis.
Kisii University’s Sports Tutor, David Obungu, said he will field a strong contingent of 114 students. Kisii will field teams in hockey, netball, volleyball, basketball, handball, athletics, rollball, and racquet games.
“My hockey, basketball, volleyball, and rollball teams are ready to challenge for titles. We have prepared well for the championships adequately. We, however, anticipate a very strong finish from Kenyatta and USIU/Africa,” said Obungu.
“We didn’t do well at the national championships in Nakuru. Our rollball team finished third, and I expect them to improve,” he added. The recently crowned KUSF cross country champion Faith Chebet will lead their charge.
The World Universities Cross Country-bound will compete in the 5, 000m and 10, 000m races.
“I have 10 very strong athletes. We are targeting more than 10 medals in various events,” Obungu revealed.
Adalo said the federation uses sport as a key platform to mark the global event.
“This is a women-only championship held in the spirit of International Women’s Day to celebrate women through sports in all our universities,” said Adalo.
“This year, we have many sports disciplines lined up. At the moment, 24 institutions have already registered to compete. Athletes will compete in 16 disciplines ranging from ball games and indoor sports to martial arts and track and field,” she added.
However, swimming, which has been part of previous editions, will not feature this year since the hosts do not have the facilities.
Federation president Alfred Kibet Rono said the championship will play a key role in promoting women’s sports in universities.
“We aim to support women in sports in our universities. Looking at the entries, we expect tough competition,” said Rono.
