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Category: Falcons News

  • Mixed Fortunes for Daystar Falcons in The Kenya Handball Premier League

    And Women secure super cup spot as men fight for survival

    By Teddy Otieno – Sports Editor

    (tedootieno@gmail.com)

     

    The Daystar Falcons handball teams experienced mixed fortunes in the 2025/2026 Kenya Handball Premier League season, a reality highlighted during the Madaraka Day league matchday at the Nyayo Stadium Handball Court.

    The Falcons women’s team played their final league match of the season, earning a hard-fought 29-29 draw against National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). Leah Nyongesa and Esther Nyangami led the scoring with six and five goals respectively. Impressively, the team’s 29 goals were shared among eight players, underlining the Falcons’ strong team-oriented approach.

    The result sees the Falcons women finish fifth in the league standings and secure qualification for the Super Cup tournament scheduled for August. It marks another impressive achievement for a side renowned for punching above its weight. The team also concludes the season as Federation of Eastern Africa University Sports (FEAUS) champions after winning the tournament in Kakamega during their maiden appearance in April.

    Meanwhile, the Falcons men’s team continues to face a challenging Premier League campaign. This season introduced significant changes to the league structure, with the number of teams reduced to twelve and the bottom two sides facing relegation to the National League. The adoption of a home-and-away format, where teams play each other twice, has further increased competitiveness and improved the overall quality of the league.

    The Madaraka Day fixture saw the second leg of the Falcons’ encounter with Equity at the Nyayo Handball Court. Having narrowly lost the first leg by four goals, the Falcons entered the return match hoping to cause an upset. The Falcons produced a fluid, tactical, and entertaining display. They played confidently against an Equity side that sits second in the table and boasts one of the league’s strongest defensive records.

    The contest was fiercely contested and saw Falcon William Oduor receive a red card in the second half. Equity, who are pursuing their first league title, refused to relent. A brief lapse in concentration by the Falcons allowed a slender one-goal lead to disappear, with Equity scoring three quick goals to seize control of the match. The game eventually ended 27-23 in favour of Equity, handing the Falcons a third consecutive defeat.

    While the result was disappointing, the performance offered several positives. The Falcons displayed excellent tactical awareness and intelligent movement, with an attractive style of play. However, they currently sit tenth in the league standings, just above the relegation zone.

    The team will hope to draw inspiration from the recent national team call-ups of three of its players. Moses Munasi, Brandon Barasa, and John Daniel Hongo recently represented Kenya’s Under-20 national team at the IHF Zone Five Trophy Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Falcons coach Martin Kamau also earned his maiden national team call-up, joining the technical bench as part of the coaching staff. Kenya finished third at the championship and secured qualification for the African Championship set to take place in Ivory Coast this September.

    With eight matches remaining, the Falcons men’s team still has plenty to play for. Their focus will be on converting encouraging performances into positive results as they battle to preserve their Premier League status and avoid relegation.

  • Falcons Ready for Action Across Multiple Sports Disciplines

    By Joe Aura, Aurajoe6@gmail.com

    As Daystar Falcons continue their impressive display in the ongoing sports season with exciting fixtures across football, basketball, volleyball, handball, hockey, and netball, students are encouraged to show support for their teams as they battle rivals on and off campus.

    Upcoming Fixtures

    Football (Men & Women)

    25 Jan 2025: Doyster Falcons (W) vs MKU (W), 9:00 am, Kenyatta Uni

    26 Jan 2025: Doyster Falcons vs Doyster City Falcons, 9:00 am, Kenyatta Uni

    08 Feb 2025: KU Parklands (W) vs Doyster Falcons (W), 9:00 am, Kenyatta Uni

    15 Feb 2025: KU Desert Roses (W) vs Doyster Falcons (W), 1:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

    Basketball (Men & Women)

    25 Jan 2025: SPU (W) vs Doystar Falcons (W), 10:30 am, Kenyatta Uni

    25 Jan 2025: Doystar Falcons vs MNUC, 12:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

    09 Feb 2025: Doystar Falcons (W) vs USIU Flames (W), 12:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

    Volleyball (Men & Women)

    15 Feb 2025: Daystar Falcons (W) vs SPU (W), 11:00 am, USIU

    15 Feb 2025: Daystar Falcons vs MKU, 1:00 pm, USIU

    23 Feb 2025: Daystar Falcons vs SPU, 1:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

    Handball (Men & Women)

    25 Jan 2025: Daysfar Falcons vs MKU, 10:30 am, Kenyatta Uni

    16 Feb 2025: KU vs Daysfar Falcons, 1:30 pm, USIU

    02 Mar 2025: JKUAT Tigress (W) vs Daysfar Falcons (W), 9:00 am, MKU

    Hockey (Men & Women)

    26 Jan 2025: KU Parklands vs Daystar Falcons, 12:00 pm, USIU

    08 Feb 2025: Daystar Falcons (W) vs KU (W), 10:30 am, Kenyatta Uni

    16 Feb 2025: Daystar Falcons (W) vs JKUAT Wildcats (W), 12:00 pm, USIU

    Netball (Women)

    08 Feb 2025: Gretsa (W) vs Daysfor Falcons (W), 3:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

    16 Feb 2025: Daysfor Falcons (W) vs KU (W), 1:30 pm, USIU

    23 Feb 2025: MINUC (W) vs Daysfor Falcons (W), 3:00 pm, Kenyatta Uni

     

    These matches promise exhilarating action and an opportunity for Daystar Falcons to make their mark across various sports disciplines. Be there to cheer on our teams and celebrate their dedication to excellence.

    References

    KUSA NAIROBI CONFERENCE 2025 FULL FIXTURES

     

  • MMUST Edge Out Daystar Falcons in a Rain-Interrupted Thriller

    By Joe Aura, Aurajoe6@gmail.com 

    Daystar Falcons suffer a narrow 18-13 loss to Masinde Muliro University in Kakamega amidst heavy downpour.

    Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) secured a hard-fought 18-13 victory against Daystar Falcons in a tense rugby encounter at MMUST Grounds on January 25, 2025. The game, which kicked off at 3:00 PM, was interrupted by a torrential downpour, forcing an early conclusion.

    Daystar Falcons showcased resilience but were unable to overturn MMUST’s dominance. MMUST Captain Gaylord Ngasi led his team with remarkable composure, supported by strong performances from Michael Odhiambo and Vincent Omuroka. Daystar’s Elvis Sande, serving as vice-captain, delivered an impressive performance, keeping the Falcons in contention throughout the game.

    The weather played a significant role in the outcome, with slippery conditions making ball handling and tackling a challenge for both teams. Despite the elements, MMUST capitalized on their home advantage to maintain their winning streak, extending it to seven consecutive matches.

    Upcoming Fixtures for Daystar Falcons

    The Falcons will look to bounce back in their next games, with crucial fixtures lined up:

    February 1, 2025: Daystar Falcons vs Homeboyz RFC, 3:00 PM at Daystar Athi River.

    February 15, 2025: Masinde Muliro University vs Daystar Falcons, 3:00 PM at MMUST, Kakamega.

    February 22, 2025: CUEA Monks vs Daystar Falcons, 3:00 PM at CUEA Karen Campus.

    March 1, 2025: Daystar Falcons vs Zetech Oaks, 3:00 PM at Daystar Athi River.

    References

    DUSTV – https://www.instagram.com/dus._tv?igsh=MXgya2NhMHByZHZ4

    Daystar Falcons Rugby – https://www.instagram.com/dufalconsrugby?igsh=MWZoNXd6MWs3aDF3bQ==

    KUSA NAIROBI CONFERENCE FIXTURES

     

  • The Falcons

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Daystar University Logo}

    “The Falcons”

    This is Daystar University’s team name. As in, the official name of the Daystar Sports teams. Any Sports team. Every Sports Team. And there are about 15 different ones. Let’s talk about that a little.

    Sports have always been an area of pride in Daystar University with many resources being allocated toward developing the sports sector.

    There is a management team that is in charge of running the sports department. This consists of

     Th General Manager- Maurice Masiga

    The Assistant to the Manager- Rachel Njoki Mwaura

    The Head of Activities- John Yidah

    The Head of Statistics- Barrack Khaseke

    The Athi River Campus Sports Secretary- Safari Peter

    The Nairobi Campus Sports Secretary- Daisy Kamau

    These are the people responsible for allocating and maintaining the resources afforded to the sports department.

    So, what are these Resources? Well, there are a variety of Arenas for the games that require them (Football, Rugby, Handball, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, etc.), a Gymnasium fully stocked with equipment, Falcons Kits/Jerseys to be worn whenever the school teams are participating in national competition, Transport for the sports teams to travel to and from Nairobi just so all the members can train together, and on game days where they have to travel. Their meals are also catered for by the school on the day.

    That being said, just what are the Sports represented by the Falcons?

    Well, we’ve already heard Football, Rugby (both 7s and 15s), Basketball, Volleyball, Handball and Hockey from the examples above. All of these have both their male and female teams {at the time of writing, Female Rugby is in the works}. Other sports include Lacrosse and Netball. All of these sports are done in the presence of the natural elements or “Outdoors” as they are referred. For the “Indoors” sports, there’s Darts, Athletics, Badminton, Chess, Scrabble, Lawn Tennis, Karate and Swimming. New sports are always being considered for this list. Currently, the word on the street is that Boxing will become the latest addition.   (If you’re reading this in the not-too-distant future, did it happen?)

    Some of these teams are big enough to be registered under KUSA (Kenya University Sports Association); the governing body that oversees sporting in universities in Kenya. This gives them access to the KUSA Leagues but still enables them to participate in the National Federation Leagues. For instance, The Football Falcons play in the University tier under FKF (Football Kenya Federation), Rugby plays under KRU (Kenya Rugby Union), Basketball plays under NBA Kenya (National Basketball Association in Kenya), Hockey under KHU (Kenya Hockey Union) and Handball under KHF (Kenya Handball Federation). These leagues are usually active from late June/early July playing various friendlies in preparation for the season which begins in September and runs up to February/March. The school team training usually happens on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5: 00p.m to 7: 00pm. The tournament games are played on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays.

    This year (2024), the Falcons will also be participating in the East African Championship Games starting in December, having qualified for the competition. This is the competition whereby different teams from different Universities from different countries (in East Africa) get the chance to meet and test their mettle against each other. The following teams from Daystar qualified for the East Africa Games:

    Beach Volleyball Falcons 

    Handball (Ladies) Falcons

    Karate Falcons

    Scrabble

    The school also occasionally hosts sporting events. This includes the Floodys – a popular Basketball tournament, The DSL (Daystar Soccer League), Swimming Gala, among others. The “Beyond the Try” initiative is an annual Touch Rugby tournament orchestrated by the men’s Rugby Team Coach Caleb Bosire and his colleagues. Its aim is to promote school rugby and generate money to grant scholarships for talented youths.  There is the “Sports Awareness Week“, a week which is dedicated toward exploring the pros and cons of sport and weigh them against each other, (and also recruitment of new team Falcons).

    Now, the objective of any sporting activity is to determine the winner. Or at the very least, to show off one’s skill and proficiency in said sport. The Falcons of Character Awards (FOCA) Dinner, which is a dinner held exclusively for members of the sports teams, is hosted by the school and it is a way for the Falcons community as a whole to celebrate one another and crown whatever achievements were made in the year.

    If you’re reading this article and you’re thinking about applying to become an honorary Falcon, you should. You don’t even have to know anything about the sport you want to try. The teams are more than happy for you to learn as you go. There are many examples of students who have gone into rugby/tennis/volleyball etc. without even knowing the rules of the game and later emerged as integral members of the squad. So go ahead and contact the Campus Secretary (Athi – petersafari211959@daystar.ac.ke, Nairobi- daisykamau223621@daystar.ac.ke) or the Sports department- Falcons@daystar.ac.ke in order to apply. They are always ready to assist you.

    Falcons Take Matters into their own Hands.

     

     

    Oh, I almost forgot, there’s also a ping-pong table in the dining hall and it gets very competitive. Almost as competitive as it gets at the pool table right outside the gym. I mean, these aren’t officially school sports, but you wouldn’t know it if you played a game.

  • Daystar Falcons Rugby Poised to Make History in KRU Championship

    [Photo Courtesy of Eric Onchiri]

    Daystar Falcons Rugby could potentially make history by qualifying for the Kenya Cup for the first time when they take on South Coast Pirates during the Kenya Rugby Union Championship semi-final clash scheduled for Saturday, March 2024.

    Falcons find themselves as one of the teams that could strike that Milestone alongside Saturday’s opponents Pirates who also find themselves in a similar position.

    The Daystarians are going into the history-making semi-final clash on top form having bested JKUAT Cougars 21-7 in their last outing with tries from Elvis Sande and substitute Arnold Agonda as well as a conversion and two penalties from Eddy Wambugu.

    It is all to play for with the winner of the two semifinals poised to secure automatic promotion to the 2024/25 Kenya Cup.

    The second semi-final pits Impala against Mainde Muliro after they thwarted Western Bulls 32-17 to set up a semifinal clash away to Kakamega.

  • Odongo spearheads Shujaa to HSBC Challenger Series Title

    [Photo courtesy]

    Daystar Falcons’ Patrick Odongo played a key role in yet another impressive triumph for Kenya’s Shujaa as the rugby 7s side edged Chile 12-5 to lift the HSBC Challenger Series at the Sevens stadium in Dubai.

    The rookie dazzled as the Shujaa lifted their first title of the new year gearing up for their Olympics campaign in Paris 2024.

    The Shujaa opened their Challenger series with a dominant display over Mexico thumping the South American side 40-0 in their opening fixtures as Odongo scored two tries.

    The Kevin Wambua led outfit continued their charge against neighbours Uganda thrashing the fellow East African side 29-7 with Odongo at the heart of it all yet again.

    The Shujaa faltered in their final pool C fixture as they fell 24-12 to Germany but roared through to the semi-final with a hardly fought 21-19 victory over Japan in the quarter-finals.

    The semi-final clash pitted the 7s side against a dominant Uruguay side but the Shujaa thwarted their efforts thumping the South American side 21-5 to set up a final clash against another South American nation, Chile.

    Odongo spearheaded the side to yet another title as they triumphed over Chile to be crowned Challenger Series champions.

    In other fixtures Kenya Lionesses came up short in the final against China to succumb to a 19-5 defeat.

     

     

  • Falcons to Host Mombasa Rugby for KRU Championship Opener

    [PHOTO COURTESY ]

    Daystar Falcons rugby team is poised to host Mombasa rugby team in their opening fixture of the 2023/24 Kenya Rugby Union Champioships on Saturday, December 2.

    The match day one fixtures were published by the Kenya Rugby Union across their social media platforms as Falcons’ gear up for a 3 PM kick-off against the Coastal side.

    The Daystarians will be looking to build on their King’s of Africa University 7s triumph in October as they intend to end the year on a high.

    Falcons will draw confidence from having a near full-strength squad with U-20 National side player Eddy Wambugu who has so far had a great year with the rugby team and the Chipu in contention.

    Shujaa 7s prodigy and Falcons ace Patrick Odongo will however be a big miss as the winger has commitments with the national side.

    The 2019 DIV 2 7s Circuit Champions will be eager to add to their accolades but that will be put to the test by the Coastal side.

    Other fixtures will see Masinde Muliro University take on JKUAT Cougars while S.C Pirates play host to Western Bulls at the Sea Crest Gardens.

    The Impala Club will be a beehive of activities as Impala take on USIU Martials while Kabarak University welcomes U.O.E Trojans

  • Daystar University Launches Lacrosse Sport

    [PHOTO COURTESY ]

    By Timothy Onyango

    Daystar University in conjunction with the Sports and Recreation Center launched the Lacrosse Game on Tuesday 17 October 2023.

    The launch ceremony was facilitated and organized by Mr. Maurice Masiga, Chairman and head of Sports and Recreation Center at Daystar University.

    Lacrosse is a traditional game played by eastern woodlands native Americans and some Plains Indian tribes in what is now the United States of America and Canada.

    The game involves two teams tossing a ball into the air, and both sides rushing to catch it. Years later Lacrosse is still a popular sport played all over the world.

    The founder of the game Mr. Fred Osore said the reason for the launch was to make Daystar University become home for Lacrosse in Kenya.T

    Together with the Sports department, we want Daystar [University] to be considered the home for national team of the lacrosse sport.

    He further said there were greater opportunities for students in the Olympics since the game was recently approved by the International Olympics Committee to take part in the Olympics.

    During the event, Mr. Osore also recognized that some of players in the Kenya National Team were Daystar students. These include Mackline Osaji, a BCom Purchase and Business Logistics major, and Vincent Onyangi a first-year BSc Nursing student.

     

     

     

     

  • Daystar Falcons’ Patrick Odongo Spearheads Shujaa to Safari 7s Title

    [Photo courtesy of officialkru Instagram]

    Daystar Falcons’ Patrick Odongo played a key role in yet another impressive triumph for Kenya’s Shujaa at the Safari 7s tournament held on Saturday and Sunday at the RFUEA Grounds .

     

    The dazzling rookie helped the Shujaa to retain the Safari 7s title with two tries to claim the Shujaa’ s 10th title as John Okoth and Kevin Wekesa added to the tally with tries of their own.

     

    Odongo proved too hot to handle for the Samurais as the Shujaa sank the invitational team 19-00 to be crowned the 2023 Safari sevens champions.

     

    The Daystarian who has had a tremendous year with the Shujaa will be looking to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics after spearheading the team during Africa’s rugby 7s tournament in Harare, Zimbabwe as Kenya beat S. Africa 17-12.

     

    Other contests saw hosts Kenya Lionesses and neighbouring Uganda Lady Cranes battle it out in the women’s final.

     

    Luck was however not on the side of the hosts as they put up a spirited fight which seemed not to be good enough for the opponents Uganda.

     

    The game ended 15-12 in favor of the lady cranes as Uganda lady cranes were crowned the 2023 Safari sevens women`s category champions.

     

     

     

     

  • Campus Governor Calls for Huge Turn Out Ahead of City’s Final Game

    Nairobi Campus Secretary, Ken Andrew Muganda has called for huge turn out ahead of Daystar City’s final games of the year at the Kenyatta University Grounds.

    Daystar will be looking to end the year on a high note as they take on Mama Ngina University for a chance to maintain their play-offs position.

    City find themselves sitting 8th on 4 points and win over the weekend will see the Nairobi based team cement their play-off position in the KUSA league as the Campus Governor urged the students to turn out in large numbers and rally behind the team.

    “I think our fans have not really travelled with us this year just to say but we are looking to make that difference when we face Mama Ngina University over the weekend.

    “We want to go with all the fans for this game because for some of this games the fans sometimes sway the referee and mostly we want the students of our campus to come and watch the boys play and just have fun,” said Muganda.

    Daystar City have been on a transitional period under new coach Julius Otieno and that has shown in some of their performances as the Governor assures that with everybody settled in the students should expect a revitalised City.

    “We have had a sort of a rough because we had a transition with the coaching staff but we have caught up with the rest of the league.

    “We have represented ourselves well in the league having played against JKUAT and KU, these are very tough fixtures and going forward we will face teams that are not of the same level so we will be looking to pick points during that run of fixtures,” assured Muganda.

    On his part Daystar City Assistant Captain Victor Mutua has come out to assure the students that the team will represent the school well.

    “We are in the play-offs, our main focus was top spot. We are still getting used to the new coach but on Saturday our opponents will fear us because we go into this match very well prepared. We are here to win not to lose,” asserted Mutua.