By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus- As the clock ticks closer to the much-anticipated 2024 Eastern Africa University Games at Maseno University in Kenya, KIU's darts team has received a significant boost. The rookies are determined to fight for gold, while the remaining veterans are eager to defy the odds once again.

The games, which kick off on Sunday, December 15, 2024, will mark their 13th anniversary. One of the most popular and dominant universities, KIU, will be represented in over eight sporting disciplines.

Darts is one of the disciplines Uganda's leading private university hopes to bank on in its bid to reclaim sporting supremacy in East Africa. KIU defied the odds last December to edge out the then-top favorites, Ndejje University, at the 2023 Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) Games held at UCU in Mukono.

With both the boys’ and girls’ teams securing gold, the darts team emerged as the overall best among the eight teams representing KIU at the 19th edition of the AUUS Games.

"I do not know how to express how I feel, but just know it is more than exciting that we have another chance to prove our odds, this time at the East African regional level," said David Wakoba.

"We know we annoyed several teams last year, and we know they've been working hard to beat us. This is going to be impossible because our preparation for the Eastern Africa University Games began when we beat them in Mukono last year," Wakoba added.

Despite losing some of their formidable players, especially those who inspired the university's historic win in Mukono last year due to age limitations and graduation the team has grown even stronger with the addition of young, hungry talent.

KIU darts coach Joel Munyendoh said, "These players are equally very good. The team is even bigger, but those going to Kenya are our crème de la crème."

Prossy Mercy Nakayenze, a student pursuing a Higher Education Certificate is one of the sensational recruits for the darts team. Nakayenze might seem lucky to make the university team for such a major tournament, but this is something she worked hard for and will not take for granted.

"It is a privilege for me to be part of the team set to represent this mighty university. So many didn't make it, but I did. I will not take it for granted and am determined to help the team bring the regional gold home," she declared.

Nakayenze initially opted to play netball when she joined KIU in August 2024. However, after watching darts, she consulted the KIU netball coach about the game, and the rest is history.

"The coach told me that I could actually play both. It was from that time that I fell in love with this sport. Since then, I have worked hard and trained consistently to be part of the crème de la crème," she explained.

"I have heard stories of the team's historic triumph at the national level last year, and that has really motivated me to work hard and help my university extend its supremacy to the regional level," she added.

Another exciting rookie for team KIU is Lauryn Vanetta Nasinyama, considered one of the most accurate shooters on the team. She, too, is determined to help the team excel at the East African level.

"I know it is a huge task, but the fact that I am part of the very best set to represent KIU means I will not settle for less. I will do whatever it takes to help my team win gold," she stressed.

Other darts players KIU will bank on include Waswa Lubega, Ben Odreke, Joan Among, and Mike Baguma.

At the games, KIU will once again face stiff competition from Ndejje University, a team whose nine-year dominance they ended at the national level.