Sylvia Kituku shines in this year's Nakuball season
Sylvia Kituku posing with the Nakuball trophy after they won the title on December 7, 2024.
The Nakuru Universities and Colleges Nakuball League concluded earlier this month, marking the end of an exhilarating season.
Newcomers like the National Youth Service (NYS), Mount Kenya University (MKU), and Samburu Mambas impressed fans with their unique styles of play, adding excitement to the league.
In the women’s category, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) emerged victorious, claiming their first Nakuball title.
Sylvia Kituku during the finals against Rift Valley National Polytechnic on December 7, 2024.
Central to their triumph was Sylvia Kituku, who shone brightly in the final match by scoring the most points. Her court vision, aggression, and composure were instrumental in leading her team to victory.
Reflecting on her basketball journey, Sylvia shared that her six-year career has been a transformative experience, allowing her to forge meaningful connections.
“When I joined Kunikila Secondary School, I knew nothing about basketball. But during my time there, I started going to the court with friends and gradually fell in love with the sport,” she recalled.
Sylvia Kituku going for a lay up in their game against Rift Valley National Polytechnic on December 7, 2024.
From her high school beginnings to university-level competitions, Sylvia’s basketball career has been nothing short of impressive.
Winning the Nakuball League is among her proudest achievements.
“Scoring the most baskets in the finals was a surreal moment. I went into the game focused on helping my team win, and becoming the top scorer was an unexpected and joyous bonus,” she said.
The 25-year-old revealed that she set her sights on winning the league at the start of the year. Alongside her teammates, she worked tirelessly to turn that vision into reality.
Sylvia Kituku taking a freethrown in a game against Rift Valley National Polytechnic on December 7, 2024.
“The key to our success has been our strong support system and our relentless hunger to win. We don’t take defeats lightly, and that drive pushed us throughout the season to claim the championship,” she explains.
Sylvia, who hails from Machakos but has honed her skills in Nakuru, expressed a desire to continue her basketball career after completing school if the opportunity arises.
Beyond her own ambitions, she hopes to give back to the community by mentoring and training young, aspiring basketball players.
She emphasizes on the need for greater focus on basketball development in Nakuru, suggesting the construction of more basketball courts across the county.
“This would help nurture young talent and inspire the next generation of players,” she says.