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Category: SPORTS

  • Seasoned Sprinter Wins the Tujiamini Initiative Nationwide Gold Award

    Seasoned Sprinter Wins the Tujiamini Initiative Nationwide Gold Award

    Dan Asamba (Centre) poses for a photo with members of the Utawala Star Sprints Club and the SportPesa Team after his Tujiamini Nationwide Gold Win

    Dan Kiviasi Asamba, a seasoned and accomplished sprinter specializing in the 100 and 200-metre races, has been named the Tujiamini Initiative Nationwide Gold winner.

    With over a decade in competitive athletics, Asamba who is a Prisons officer and a member of the Utawala Star Sprints Club, has become a standout figure in the local sprints discipline. He has represented the country in numerous competitions in the past, including leading the Kenyan team to a gold medal in the 2022 Africa Championships in Mauritius.

    Asamba’s victory brings to a close the Tujiamini Initiative that kicked off in February 2024. Powered by SportPesa the initiative aimed to identify and nurture promising sports and sports related talent. It received over 22,000 submissions covering eight regions and one nationwide entry, benefitting 750 winners in the Gold, Silver and Bronze categories.

    “My growth in the field has been gradual but steady and this win feels like a culmination of everything I’ve worked for over the last ten years. I now have an incredible opportunity and the resources to help refine my training including adoption of scientific metrics in my preparation and performance regime. By integrating more scientific methods in my training, nutrition, and recovery, I’m confident to reach my full potential in the next one year,” said Asamba.

    The Tujiamini Nationwide Gold award marks a pivotal milestone in his career as he sets his eyes on more competitive events internationally. Asamba is now keen to qualify for the upcoming indoors athletics season with an immediate focus on the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China in March followed by the World Athletics Championships set for Tokyo, Japan, in September 2025 as part of his preparation towards the 2028 Olympic games.

    In awarding Asamba, Tujiamini Initiative acknowledged his dedication, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence, which have been the key drivers behind his success.

    “Asamba is arguably the best sprinter in the Prisons department and is truly deserving of this award due to his work ethic and commitment to the sport. With the financial support and recognition that comes with the award, he will be able to push the boundaries with his training and eventually reap the benefits in improved performances,” said Perpetual Mbutu, a Sprints Coach and Founder, Utawala Star Sprints Club.

    While lauding Asamba’s victory, Pius Shiundu Head of Operations for DBA Africa that has partnered with SportPesa in running the Tujiamini Initiative, highlighted the critical role of sports sponsorships towards supporting growth and developing talent in the grassroots.

    “We are proud to support exceptional talent like Asamba, whose dedication to excellence exemplifies the spirit of the Tujiamini Initiative. This award is more than an athletic accomplishment; it represents a significant step forward in career growth for Asamba, especially with his intention to incorporate scientific metrics in measuring his training, preparation and performance ahead of the 2025 season. This will not only benefit him but also set a good example for young sprinters in Utawala Star Sprints Club,” explained Shiundu.

    With his eyes set on the World Championships and Olympic Games, Asamba’s Nationwide Tujiamini Gold victory promises a thrilling chapter in his career as he continues to push the boundaries in his athletics career.

  • Tourism Players Gain Knowledge on Leverage Sports to Boost Tourism

    Sports organizers and travel trade are rooting for joint initiatives to promote sports as a key driver of tourism in Kenya

    Yesterday, KTB CEO June Chepkemei disclosed that Kenya is recording low visitor arrivals in sports-related events. The country recorded 4,600 sports tourists between January and October, a figure she described as dismal.

    The CEO was speaking during a capacity-building forum on sports tourism, where sports federations in Kenya were also urged to synchronize the sports events calendar to ensure tour operators can easily leverage key events to make Kenya an all-around tourism destination.

    The session also had a strong focus on building synergies between tourism stakeholders and key sports event organizers in Kenya. Tour operators and hotels were particularly urged to get creative in bundling offers to ensure the repeat visits and long stays of visitors drawn by sports.

    Magical Kenya Open Tournament Director Patrick Obath, who was a speaker during the forum, said that the Kenyan tourism trade should actively seek to package tourism products around key events that are already guaranteed in the annual sports calendar “The link between sports and tourism is multifaceted; first people can play sports and visit a destination where an event is taking place, and secondly, if they like the sport being hosted, they are more likely to be enticed to go visit attractions in the country. What is needed is to package the products we have in the country around events. A key feature in hosting international events is the broadcast and TV time we get around the world that exposes the country positively globally,” said Obath.

    The Kenya Tourism Board CEO noted that with the privilege of hosting key local and international sports events, the destination has an opportunity to scale its tourism portfolio and provide alternatives to travelers who seek adventure and sports.

    “We have the landscapes and wonderful views that can allow us to host many sports events, especially those that don’t require us to have mega facilities. Given our strong sports reputation, it should concern us that we don’t fully capitalize on sports tourism, going by the current statistics. To drive our tourism offering, our goal is to empower the travel trade to better understand and package sports tourism opportunities, “she said

    She added, “As the body mandated to market the destinations’ tourism and seek opportunities that drive the sector in Kenya, we want to ensure that the sports fraternity and the Kenyan tourism players can ensure that we fully take advantage of the big opportunity sports events present.” Chepkemei noted, “We want to integrate sports tourism into our national tourism blueprint so that we can effectively target and attract sports enthusiasts, be they participants, fans, or lifestyle seekers.”

    The session brought together over 100 participants drawn from across the tourism value chain to equip them with insights and strategies to leverage major sporting events for tourism growth.

    According to UN Tourism, sports tourism is increasingly a key driver for the sector, generating around 10% of the world’s expenditure on tourism with an estimated growth rate of 17.5% by 2030. Studies have shown that more travelers are becoming drawn to destinations that host sporting events, with the electric atmosphere of mega competitions and the cultural allure of local sporting traditions.

    The panel discussions also focused on the importance of integrating sports events with destination attractions to create compelling tourism experiences.

    Viu-Tavel CEO Felix Musa said the sport is a huge area that provides jobs and is also a source of much-needed dollars. There is a need to scale the potential in this space if we can work seamlessly with organizers of events. We have learned that there is an appetite and hunger, and if well prepared, Kenyans and visitors have the willingness to spend. We call for synergy to enable operators to react better to the opportunities in the sports space.” Said Musa

    The capacity-building session comes amid a busy sporting calendar for Kenya in early 2025, with the Magical Kenya Open (MKO) set to kick off in late February. The famed WRC Safari Rally also comes back from March 20–23, 2025.

  • Mwendwa free to vie in FKF Elections, House told

    Mwendwa free to vie in FKF Elections, House told

    Football Kenya Federation (FKF) outgoing president Nick Mwendwa is eligible to contest as a running mate in the forthcoming elections, MPs have been told.

    FKF Electoral Board chairman Hesbon Owila made the revelation when he met the National Assembly Sports Committee.

    Mwendwa, whose mandatory two-term limit is coming to an end, has been cleared to run as the running mate of his current deputy Doris Petra in the December 7th elections.

    Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had differed with Owila during a separate appearance before the Committee.

    The CS was before the House team to shed light on the eligibility of Mwendwa to be fielded as number two to Petra.

    Murkomen and Owila gave different opinion to the Committee during the session chaired by Kamau Wamacukuru.

    The CS, who was the first to appear before the Committee, told MPs that the law barred Mwendwa from deputizing Petra in the polls.

    “The law is clear that anybody picked as a running mate should have the same qualifications of the presidential candidate so that incase anything happens to the president, he can take over office,” he added.

    Said Murkomen: “It is not morally good to serve as the Federation’s president then during elections you present yourself as a deputy.”

    The CS pointed out that Mwendwa had completed his term as required by the federation constitution, noting that it will be illegal for him to be on the Petra ticket for presidency.

    He added: “I have had a conversation with Mwendwa on this matter and we agreed he should not run.”

    His sentiments were supported by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi who questioned why the Electoral Board cleared him to run.

    “Why did the Electoral Board clear Mwendwa in the first place when its clear that he had cleared his term,” he added.

    But Owila, when he appeared before the Committee, said the law allowed Mwendwa to contest as a running mate in the elections.

    “Article 37 of the Federation’s constitution is clear that the president upon clearing his term is free to run for any other seat,” he explained.

    He noted that the Board had not committed any mistake when it cleared Mwendwa to deputise Petra in the elections.

    The matter was put to rest after the Committee’s legal officer Christine Odhiambo clarified to MPs that the law allowed Mwendwa to run as a deputy.

    While quoting Article 37 Odhiambo said: “The law allows Mwendwa to run for any position including deputy.”

    Mwingi West MP Charles Nguna said the Committee should not dwell too much on the matter after it was clarified by both the legal officer and the chairman on the Electoral Board.

    MP Catherine Omanyo and Robert Basil asked the Board to ensure that the eagerly awaited elections were free and fair.

    Owila told the Committee measures have been put in place to ensure that the elections were credible, free and fair.

    “The Board has already finished training returning officers ahead of the county elections that commence on 9th of this month and the presidential polls,” he explained.

    He added: “I want to assure the Committee that fake delegates will no longer participate in the elections as it has been before.”

    The Committee asked the Board to present to MPs a list of all delegates who will vote in the elections.

    Owila assured the Committee that he will avail the list in two days.

  • Cheptalal FC Clinch Victory in the South Rift Region Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Showdown

    Cheptalal FC Clinch Victory in the South Rift Region Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Showdown

    South Rift Region Cheza Dimba Tournament winners, Cheptalal FC, beaming after receiving the Tujiamini award for emerging victorious

    Bomet-based Cheptalal FC won the South Rift Region Cheza Dimba tournament, marking yet another milestone in the ongoing Tujiamini Initiative, which seeks to identify and nurture sports and sports-related talent at the grassroots.

    Cheptalal FC bagged a hard-earned 2-1 victory against Narok Town Stars FC, to walk away with a 3-year sponsorship deal worth Kes 250,000 annually while securing a coveted spot in the nationwide Tujiamini Initiative Cheza Dimba tournament.

    Cheptalal FC took an early lead when Benson Mutai scored in the opening minute announcing their intentions towards victory right from the start.

    The match intensified a notch after Simon Karanja leveled the scores for Narok Town Stars FC in the 27th minute, managing to hold onto the draw all through regular time. However, it was Cheptalal FC who ruled the day when Davies Kiprono netted the decisive goal in stoppage time.

    Speaking after the match, team captain, Elius Kipng’eno, expressed joy in the victory acknowledging his team’s bravery in confronting what he said was a very challenging opponent.

    “knowing that we were facing a tough opponent, we renewed our focus in the final moments of the match which turned out to be the crucial game changer. This sponsorship win is a welcome silver lining for both the team and players considering the many challenges we have faced in the pursuit of

    success as a community club,” said Kipngeno

    SportPesa’s Mercy Kabui, speaking after handing over the spoils to the winners reaffirmed the gaming firm’s dedication to supporting grassroots and community sports, highlighting the invaluable exposure gained by the players through initiatives such as Tujiamini.

    “Through tournaments such as Cheza Dimba, young players who are the stars of tomorrow get to test and develop their skills even as they pursue their individual and collective growth. We are therefore encouraged and excited to be part of these success stories by providing the much-needed support, however small for community clubs,” she stated.

    Felix Ekisa, the Narok Town Stars FC team captain although disappointed, expressed confidence and renewed vigor in the club’s pursuit of growth and development in the wake of the loss.

    “I know that my team is a force to reckon with. We trained well ahead of the tournament but our opponents also came well-prepared which we noticed right from the start. Although we managed to stem their advances in the match, it wasn’t enough to give us victory.”

    The tournament in the South Rift Region boasted one of the highest numbers of entries with 170 applications, demonstrating a strong but needy talent base in the region.

    The winning spirit trickled down to the fans who pocketed cash rewards worth Kes 10,000 through the Bronze Kwa Ground award. Cheptalal FC’s supporters stole the show with the highest fan turnout among the participating teams while Johnson Mungai nailed the Crossbar challenge for an individual win.

    The Tujiamini initiative heads to the Coastal region where even more community teams will get a chance to apply for a place in the penultimate Cheza Dimba tournament.

  • Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships, Kinshasa, DR Congo, October 19-26

    Africa Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships, Kinshasa, DR Congo, October 19-26

    Kenya’s captain Liz Andiego is brimming with confidence ahead of the AFBC Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships finals today, October 25, at the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa.

    The stakes are high, and Andiego has vowed to defeat Morocco’s Hasna Larti in their light-heavyweight duel. Larti is a rookie making her international debut but that’s not to say it’s going be a walk in the park for Andiego who is appearing in her second finals in the Africa Championships, the first time being in 2022 in Maputo where she lost to Morocco’s celebrated Khadija Mardi in the heavyweight final.

    Larti is one of the 1O Moroccans in action in today’s finals with DR Congo having eight finalists to carry the fight to the Moroccans. Whether the hosts will dethrone the defending champions Morocco will be known after today’s schedule. In total, Morocco has 18 finalists and DR Congo has 14.

    While Andiego had to dig deep in her reservoir of skill and experience to defeat DR Congo’s Joelle-Marie Mwika in the semi-finals, Larti made it to the finals without throwing a punch, a beneficiary of a bye.

    She may be fresh for the fight but warhorse Andiego is not bothered.

    “I’m going for gold, I don’t know anything about the Moroccan but will handle her,” says Liz who normally controls the ring with so much authority and confidence.

    “I just want to thank my people in Kenya for their support, I couldn’t do this alone without their prayers. I can assure them the gold is coming home,” Andiego told me in an interview at the Belle Vie Hotel in Kinshasa.

    “As the team captain, I’m leading by example together with our assistant captain Boni.”

    Against Mwika, Andiego fought cautiously and refused to be drawn into close-quarter exchanges with the stronger Mwika who was beaten in last year’s finals of the same event by Morocco’s world champion Khadija Mardi.

    “I used my experience, speed work, and footwork to beat Mwika since I know her very well, I’ve watched her severally in in the ring. Maximum respect to her she is a tough opponent.”

    Newcomer Clinton Macharia is the other Kenyan boxer fighting today in the super-heavyweight division. He is also meeting a Moroccan opponent, Younes Bouhdid. Macharia, representing the national team for the first time, saw off Angola’s Luvo Jordilson in the semi-finals.

    The Moroccans have been very impressive so far with a mixture of technical skills and daring approach in the ring.

    Their star boxers, world bronze medalists Yasmine Mouttaki and Widad Bertal will lead the Moroccans from the front as they face DR Congo opponents in the final in their quest to win their second consecutive gold medals.

    Mouttaki, the gold medal winner in the 2017 Africa Championships in Congo Brazzaville and last year in Yaounde is a smooth operator with plenty of experience in big-time boxing. She fights Carine Nkelani at light-flyweight

    Showboating bantamweight defending champion Bertal meets Merveille Bisambu and is tipped to win her second consecutive gold medal in Africa’s premier boxing tournament.

    DR Congo’s Mandela Cup welterweight champion Brigitte Mbabi finally steps into the ring for the first time when she battles Morocco’s Tooutir Mounir. Mbabi, one of the two boxers who represented DR Congo in the Paris Olympics, has a head start against the Moroccan newcomer who will feel the stinging punches of Lubumbashi-based Mbabi who received a bye to the finals.

    Also fighting for the first time today are female lightweights, DR Congo’s Zalia Munga, and her neighbour within a shouting distance from  Congo Brazzaville, Sandrine Bakora. The two were the only entrants in the female lightweight category.

    All in all, 28 boxers in 14 bouts will be in action in the first session of the Africa Championships finals to start later in the day followed by the second session tomorrow, October 26.

  • Rongai All Stars Queens Challenge Societal Norms with Tujiamini Win

    Rongai All Stars Queens Challenge Societal Norms with Tujiamini Win

    Rongai All Stars Queens have secured their status as rising stars in Kenya’s women’s football landscape after clinching the highly coveted Tujiamini Initiative Gold Award in the just-concluded South Rift Region nominations and entries.

    Determined to break down barriers in competitive community football, the club secured a KES 500,000 cash award that will go towards kitting the club, acquiring new equipment, and improving their playing ground in Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County.

    “Most of our players come from underprivileged backgrounds. Training at the club not only helps them develop their athletic skills, but also equips them adequately to make positive decisions like resisting and staying away from social ills like teen pregnancy, early marriages, and drug abuse among others,” said head coach Daniel Kyalo.

    Established in 2013, Rongai All Stars Queens has made significant strides in women’s football. They began their journey in the National Super League and have developed into a powerhouse that continues to produce exceptional talent on the national and international stages.

    Notable among these talents is Rebecca Odato, who currently plays for the National Under-17 side, and who recently made headlines with the Rising Starlets at the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, founding player Rael Kamanda, who currently plays in the Kenya Women’s Premier League side, Zetech Sparks is another success story emerging from the club, showcasing the level of Talent and quality players being developed at the club.

    “One of Tujiamini Initiatives’ goals is to uplift and provide equal opportunities for all Talent with a special focus on growing women’s participation in sport. Women’s football in Kenya holds rich untapped talent due to the lack of resources and exposure. Tujiamini seeks to bridge this gap while ensuring that excelling individuals receive the support they require to thrive and take their talents to the next level,” said Joseph Steventon – Head of Business Development, DBA Africa.

    DBA Africa who have partnered with SportPesa in running the Tujiamini Initiative is a social enterprise dedicated to changing lives through sport with a to leverage the mental and physical benefits of sports to teach leadership, teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence to young people.

    Rongai All Stars Queens’ head coach Kyalo, reiterated the importance of investing in Women’s football at the community level as one way of solidifying the talent pipeline that can feed into national and regional football leagues through constant competitions and appearance in various tournaments.

    According to Kamanda who also won the Eastern and North Eastern Region Tujiamini Bronze award, winning the Tujiamini Gold Award is a big feat for the club that faces numerous challenges including playing resources and equipment among other stereotypes in the male-dominated sport.

    “Initially, the Rongai All Stars Queens were a young team, facing apprehension from the community. It brings me immense joy to witness the team’s growth against all odds. I often played alongside the boys up until the ladies’ side was established. This experience provided me with valuable exposure, leading to my selection for the National Under-17 team in 2012 and eventually progressing to the premier league, where I continue to play,” said Kamanda.

    In recent years, women’s football in Kenya has grown, driven by increased support and regular exposure through initiatives like Tujiamini. This momentum not only highlights the potential of female athletes but also reinforces the commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that empowers women in sports.

  • Fortune Smiles on Kisumu City Stars as Tujiamini Initiative Concludes in Nyanza

    Fortune Smiles on Kisumu City Stars as Tujiamini Initiative Concludes in Nyanza

    Kisumu City Stars are the latest entrants in the fast-approaching Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Nationwide contest after winning the Nyanza region competition.

    Despite a slow start to the competition held at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu, the stars found their footing in the first semi final with a 3-0 win over Sparks FC. They went ahead to emerge victorious in a closely contested final against rivals Kisumu Greenlands who had settled for a goalless draw against Mawego FC in the second semi final of the day.

    Njera Odoyo scored the match’s only goal in the first half to bag a crucial three points that further stamped Kisumu City Stars’ authority with a 7-point lead. After the match, team captain Tonnington Atinga lauded his players for a good showing.

    “It feels great to win the tournament and I am proud of the players for sealing it. The quality of play was good and we felt challenged by the competitiveness brought by other teams.”

    In addition to securing a spot in the upcoming Tujiamini Cheza Dimba nationwide tournament, Kisumu City Stars is eyeing a spot in the national super league in the next three years won themselves a much-needed sponsorship worth kes 250,0000 annually for three years including home and away kits.

    “The club depends entirely on well-wishers. This sponsorship is a welcome addition to our resource base which will go a long way in motivating and helping the team to meet fixture obligations including the welfare of the players,” added Kisumu City Stars CEO, Dominic Mala.

    He lauded the organisation of the tournament and Tujiamini Initiative’s focus on elevating, discovering, and growing sports and sporting-related talent in the grassroots. Mercy Kabui who represented SportPesa at the event highlighted the need for more participation by women’s clubs noting that the exhibition matches that featured four teams was an improvement from
    previous Cheza Dimba tournaments.

    “We have faced challenges with low female participation in previous Cheza Dimba tournaments. We intend to grow the level of female participation in the coming months and encourage entries from all interested women clubs in South Rift, which is the next region of focus for Tujiamini Initiative,” she said.

    Uhola Queens walked away with Kes 50,000 together with playing kits after a 1-0 win against Warembo All-Stars in the final, courtesy of Vanessa Atieno who scored the only goal of the match. The Tujiamini initiative heads to the South Rift region where applications are ongoing and will close at the end of the month.

    Match Results Sheet
    Nyanza Region Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Tournament (Men). Game 1: Vision Combined FC 0 – 0 Kisumu City Stars Game 2: Kehancha FC 0 – 0 Mawego FC Game 3: Vision Combined FC 1 – 0 Sparks FC Goal Scorer: David Ambetsa – Vision Combined FC (Min 32) Game 4: Kehancha FC 1 – 3 Kisumu GS Goal Scorers: Alfred John – Kehancha FC (Minute 17) Washington Omondi – Kisumu Greenlands (GS) (Min 21 & Min 27) Elvis Burundi (Min 42) Semifinal 1: Kisumu City Stars 3 – 0 Sparks FC Goal Scorers:  Felix Omondi – Kisumu City Stars (Min 2 & Min 16) Njera Odoyo (Min 22) Semifinal 2: Mawego FC 0 – 0 Kisumu Greenlands (GS) Final: Kisumu City Stars 1 – 0 Kisumu Greenlands Goal Scorer:  Njera Odoyo – Kisumu City Stars (Min 8)
    Nyanza Region Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Exhibition Tournament (Ladies).
    Game 1: Gusii Starlets 1 – 1 Warembo All Stars Goal Scorers: Anastacia Miruka – Gusii Starlets (Min 35) Sharon Akinyi – Warembo All Stars (Min 39) Game 2: Uhola Queens 0 – 0 Kisumu Queens Game 3: Gusii Starlets 0 – 1 Uhola Queens Goal Scorer: Agnes Masiyu – Uhola Queens (Min 32) Game 4: Warembo All Stars 1 – 0 Kisumu Queens  Goal Scorer: Sharon Akinyi – Warembo All Stars (Min 32)
    Game 5: Gusii Starlets 0 – 0 Kisumu Queens Final: Warembo All Stars 0 – 1 Uhola Queens Goal Scorer: Vanessa Atieno (Min 12)

  • Quins Win the SportPesa National 7s Circuit to End 12-year Drought

    Quins Win the SportPesa National 7s Circuit to End 12-year Drought

    Kenya Harlequins RFC are the overall winners of the 2nd edition of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit which concluded with the Prinsloo 7s at the Nakuru Athletic Club.

    Quins sailed through after accumulating 110 points to lead the standings followed by Kabras Sugar with 105 points and former title holders KCB who placed third with 94 points.

    Quins walked away with a top prize of Kshs 300,000 in a well-fought battle that saw them claim a 35-7 victory in the decider against Nakuru RFC after they were bundled out of the main cup quarter-final by Nondies in their first match of the day.

    Showcasing their dominance and skill throughout the tournament, Kenya Harlequin team captain Richel Wangila attributed the win to outstanding resilience and determination, proving themselves a formidable opponent.

    “This is a good reward for the boys who as we can tell from the win today gave it their all right from the first leg up to the winning stages at Prinsloo 7s. I am happy and I thank the technical bench for their support and belief in us throughout the competition. We have won the trophy and the boys have received a token from the title sponsor, SportPesa, which is a big motivation.” Said Wangila.

    Impala RFC crowned overall champions of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit
    Impala RFC crowned overall champions of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit

    On the other hand, Strathmore Leos won the Prinsloo 7s in a formidable show against Nondies bagging a 33-7 victory and ultimately earning a well-deserved Ksh 100,000, as the runners-up walked away Ksh 50,000. Settling for third place, Kabras Sugar took home Ksh 25,000 after a 19-0 win against Menengai Oilers in the 3rd place playoff.

    In the women’s event, Impala Queens obliterated Mwamba Ladies 33-0 to win the ladies’ tournament as Nakuru Ladies finished third. In a summary of this year’s circuit, Kenya Rugby Union CEO Thomas Odundo acknowledged the impressive quality of play attributed to the strong team spirit among the participating teams.

    “We have seen outstanding performances from young players like Brian Ratila, Elvis Olukusi, Samuel Asati, Lucky Dewald, Erick Cantona, and Kevin Wekesa. The SportPesa National 7s Circuit has once again proven to be a breeding ground for talent and a showcase of the country’s rugby prowess. Once more we are seeing a return of the love and fun atmosphere of Kenyan Rugby”, said Odundo.

    Speaking after the award ceremony, Willis Ojwang of SportPesa expressed satisfaction with the conduct, organization, and high quality of the game at this year’s circuit. This is the second consecutive year that SportPesa has supported the KRU National 7s circuit with Kes 16.5 million worth of commitment.

    “The talent and dedication displayed by all the teams have been nothing short of inspiring. This year’s competition has showcased the best of Kenyan rugby and highlighted our young athletes’ potential. We are incredibly proud to witness the culmination of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit and look forward to an even bigger and better tournament in 2025”, he said.

    The successful conclusion of the SportPesa National 7s Circuit spotlights the importance of talent elevation and discovery in Kenya. As the dust settles on this year’s run-down of 7s rugby talent, eyes now shift to the SportPesa Legends Cup on Saturday, September 28 at the RFUEA Grounds ahead of the much-anticipated Safari 7s to be held on October 11–13.

    Earlier this year, SportPesa renewed its partnership with Kenya’s rugby legends in a Ksh 2 million deal worth of sponsorship support towards their doubleheader against their counterparts from Uganda.

  • KEFWA Holds Annual General Meeting,

    KEFWA Holds Annual General Meeting,

    KEFWA President James Situma Address the press after the AGM in Zetech University.

    The Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, held its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), where different stakeholders met and discussed issues affecting the football players and way forward.

    The 12th anniversary of Kefwa AGM saw the attendance of Coach Robert Matano, former Harambee stars Coach Ghost Mulei, who graced the occasion and advised young players to be disciplined and determined with Passion too.

    Various topics were also highlighted, including smart ways of investing for the football players, enrolling in academic careers once the players were near to retire, or even earlier, players’ rights and remuneration.

    “We have had a couple of strides since 2012, I guess, and, you know, it has been a journey of so many challenges that concerns the players. But we are so happy because we were once observers, then we were candidates, and then now we are fully members, full members at FIFPro, who are our donors, who always guide us, give us direction on how we can fight for the rights of the players.
    So I can say we have a couple of strides, of course, with so many challenges.
    But again, we have so many positives, so many wins, whereby we have seen, we have come up with so many products on board
    to see how players can maybe transit from playing football and how we can represent players legally around the country, even the professional players.
    So I think in many ways, we have many products that we have really helped the players, even bridge the Gap.” Said James Situma KEFWA President.

    Group photo for KEFWA AGM Stakeholders 2024.

    KEWA President further observed that, it’s one step at a time and believes, we need to come together as players to make sure that we strengthen the union so that we can have that bigger voice to champion for their rights.Players are so frustrated with the current situation that they are not being paid by their current teams. it’s frustrating at times when you are not. Maybe you don’t have something to put on the table for your family.They should still continue boarding and make sure that we continue having that strong voice so that we can voice out because when we are together, I think moving one direction, it will be okay.
    Meantime, as we speak, of course, what we really need is to have one voice because election is coming up, you know, we’ll have people walking left, right and center, maybe, you know, promising events.
    So, we’ll be so careful, we will involve them 100 per cent in any decision we make.

    “When you look at KEFWA, they have professionalized everything, and there are proper structures with good management that look into issues of Players.
    Kenyan Premier league can be classified as semi-professional, and the rights of players need to be looked into.
    Our neighbours, Tanzania Yanga and Simba, have moved ahead due to proper infrastructure and sponsorship consistency.
    Kenya Federation of Football has moved a step further, but there are more strides needed.” Said Innocent Mutiso Doping Control Officer at (ADAK) Anti Doping Agency of Kenya.

    KEFWA, who are in partnership with Zetech University, are encouraging football Players to also double in academic qualification in order to better their lives.

  • SportPesa Partnership Fuels Shabana FC’s Ambitious Future in Kenya’s Top-tier Football

    SportPesa Partnership Fuels Shabana FC’s Ambitious Future in Kenya’s Top-tier Football

    Football Kenya Federation Premier League side, Shabana FC, is intent on changing its fortunes in this year’s local football season after receiving a boost of Kshs 75 million from Kenya’s leading gaming firm, SportPesa.

    The sponsorship will cover three years with Shabana FC receiving Kes 25 million annually. The club which narrowly survived relegation last season after finishing 14th in the league now faces an uphill task in the new season that begins on August 24, 2024.

    “This is a partnership and we are more than dedicated to making it a win-win collaboration. It is more about the commitment and impact and this promises a good fan experience which will attract much more talent,” said SportPesa Partnerships Manager Willis Ojwang.

    He was backed up by SportPesa Head of Operations, Benard Chauro, who reiterated SportPesa’s purpose in developing sports in the country.

    “Today marks another big milestone for us in the sponsorships and partnerships realm. We have been in this game for a while and going forward, the players should know that they have a reliable partner who can guarantee their success,” he commented.

    With the partnership secured, Shabana FC was further challenged to nurture talents that eventually feed into the club’s talent pipeline.

    “This partnership presents an opportunity to ensure a collaborative network for all stakeholders involved. Going forward, this should open a fruitful engagement to improve the outcomes. The youth are being given a chance to put themselves forward and make good from the efforts at hand.” said Innocent Muganda on behalf of the BCLB Chair, Jane Makau, as he lauded SportPesa for impacting the community positively.

    Kisii Governor and Shabana FC patron, Simba Arati, acknowledged Shabana’s readiness to host its matches this season in the home ground which was closed for the better part of last season for renovations.

    “Shabana used to host its matches at the Raila Odinga Stadium in the neighboring Homa Bay County with Gusii Stadium facing challenges but I’m happy to inform you that the pitch is ready for use.”

    The partnership unveiling was also graced by the club’s fan association from different regions of the country who were grateful for the support. “Three years ago, we were at the National Super League (NSL) which was challenging competitively but we were able to draw out a clear vision. In those 3 years, we have achieved beyond our set goals. It is my promise to our partners that we will achieve our set goals even as we target the continental championships.” Said the Shabana Fan Association Representative, Onyonka.

    Shabana FC is poised to begin their highly anticipated season on a high note, facing off Bidco United in a thrilling opening match this Saturday. The clash, set to take place at Thika Sub-County Stadium, marks the beginning of a new chapter for Shabana FC as they aim to solidify their status as contenders in the league.