Harambee Starlets players line up before the match against Ghana’s Black Queens. PHOTO/CAF

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 26 – Harambee Starlets bowed out of the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations winless after falling 4-0 to defending champions Nigeria in their last Group B match in Limbe, Cameroon on Saturday.

Debutants Starlets, who were already eliminated from the competition, conceded two goals in the opening seven minutes to see the Super Falcons of Nigeria book a semi-final date with South Africa.

In the other Group B match, Ghana beat Mali 3-1 to sail through into the last four where they will meet hosts Cameroon.

Starlets head coach David Ouma made four changes from the squad that lost 3-1 to Mali with the notable inclusion seeking Samantha Akinyi dropped to the bench for Vivian Akinyi.

Coming from a 1-1 draw against Ghana, Nigeria started on a high and they could find the opening goal in the first minute but Dorcas Shikobe did well to thwart Nigeria’s superstar Asisat Oshoala’s effort after she was put through by her captain.

Nigeria’s effort paid a minute later when poor clearance from Starlets defender landed on Swedish based Ngozi Okobi who superbly drove a fine shot from 18 yards into the top corner for the opener.

Before Kenya could re-organize themselves, Nigeria found the back of the net again for their second goal this time through left-back Faith Akidi who fantastically scored a beautiful header after connecting Halimatu Ayinde’s free-kick.

Kenya grew into the game, improving her defence to deny a star-studded Nigeria on several occasions with Akinyi stopping Ayinde and Oshoala who plays her professional football in England’s Arsenal ladies football team.

On the stroke of half-time, Nigeria came close when Oshoala received a long ball from the midfield to loop over on rushing Akinyi only to see the ball go wide as Kenya survived.

Nigeria returned on a high and it only took them seven minutes into the second half to find the third goal through Ohoala who sneaked from the left to neatly finish and record her sixth goal of the tournament.

The Super Falcons finished the job two minutes to full time when Francisca Ordega produced a great pace from the left wing to swing in a cross that was controlled on the thigh by Desire Oparanozie before she smashed home to seal the win.

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NOCK 1st Vice-president Ben Ekumbo (holding his head) appearing before Milimani Law Court Resident Magistrate Joyce Ngandani.PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 28 – National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) 1st Vice-Chairman Ben Ekumbo will continue spending time behind bars after his request to be released on bond was rejected on Monday.

Ekumbo, who is also the Kenya Swimming Federation, is facing charges of theft and sexual assault of minors which he has denied.

The NOCK official is accused of stealing Sh1m and kits belonging to Team Kenya for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Last week the prosecutor told the court that Ekumbo has been sexually molesting young swimmers but the accused fought the charge saying the sex scandal happened five years ago and that abusers were investigated and punished according to the law.

Ekumbo applied to be released on bond as investigations continue but Nairobi Milimani Law Court Resident Magistrate Joyce Ngandani denied the request, saying that the offences committed were grave and he could interfere with investigations.

“If released, Ekumbo could compromise or intimidate witnesses especially in the charge of sexual molestation of kids,” the magistrate ruled.

Acknowledging that bond is a constitutional right to every person, Ngandani also questioned the ability of the accused to follow to the letter court orders should he be released on bond.

Ekumbo’s next hearing will be December 6 but at the moment he will be detained at Muthaiga Police Station.

Ekumbo, who was Team Kenya’s Deputy Head of Delegation for the Rio Olympics, is the fourth official from NOCK to be formally charged over the embarrassing scandals which tarnished Kenya’s best-ever performance at a Games.

The other NOCK officials who are facing court charges include Secretary General Francis Kinyili Paul, 2nd vice-chairman Pius Ochieng and assistant treasurer Stephen arap Soi.

Another official, Fridah Shiroya who is the treasurer, was set free after the prosecution dropped charges against her.

The kit disappearance was one of several scandals that gripped Kenya during the Summer Games where Kenya scooped 13 medals, including six gold, in its best performance at the Olympics.

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Usain Bolt is a nine-time Olympic champion © AFP/File / Paul CROCK

LONDON, United Kingdom, Nov 28 – Nine-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt dedicated what is set to be his final track season to his fans, with the Jamaican sprint star saying his training regime is now “more relaxed”.

However, the 30-year-old insisted Monday that his will to win was undimmed.

“It’s more relaxed. Me and my coach will discuss, we’re going to change my training regime, different things so it’s not going to be as intense as the seasons before,” Bolt said.

The Jamaican was speaking ahead of the London premiere of “I am Bolt”, a documentary film charting his career in the 18 months leading up to this year’s Rio Olympics.

Bolt, who is set to bring the curtain down on his brilliant career at the 2017 world championships in London, added: “I am giving people the opportunity now to come and see me at my last world championships or maybe in Jamaica, my last run in Jamaica and stuff like that.

“So it’s mainly for the fans this season.”

Nevertheless, he added: “I never want to lose, in any way. Even a simple board game I don’t want to lose so for me the fact that I say it’s for my fans, I still want to go out and compete at my best. But it’s not so much pressure as it is like for the past eight years where I have to consistently win.

“I know I have to win but for me it’s much more simple, less stressful, less pressure so I am just training hard as I always do and go compete at my best as always.”

– ‘Not easy’ –

At Rio, Bolt completed the “triple triple” by winning gold in the 100 metres, 200m and 4x100m relay, as he had done at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games in Beijing and London.

Bolt said he hoped the documentary would show just how hard he had worked to become one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

“Most people say to me when they see me like: ‘Oh you make it look so easy’ but it’s not. So I wanted to make people see what I went through to get where I am at today,” he explained.

Bolt, who has often spoken of his desire to become a professional footballer, said he planned to do some training with top German club Borussia Dortmund.

Both Bolt and Dortmund use kit made by Germany-based sports manufacturing giant Puma, who put the athlete and the club in touch with one another.

“Why not?” said Bolt. “It’s something I have always wanted to try and see if I was any good at, so at the end of the season I will go there (Dortmund) and do a little trial, not a trial but a little training.”

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Conjestina Achieng is seen with Kisumu Maendeleo Ya Wanawake organisation chair lady Atieno Otieno, with her is Kisumu county executive member for health Dr Elizabeth Ogaja after the former world boxing middleweight champion was discharged from hospital on Tuesday.PHOTO/courtesy

KISUMU, Kenya, Nov 29 – Former world boxing middleweight champion Conjestina Achieng has been discharged from Kisumu Sub County hospital after one month at the psychiatric section.

Speaking to the press in Kisumu after being discharged from the hospital courtesy of Kisumu Maendeleo Ya Wanawake organization, Achieng complained of neglect.

“People come to see me but they don’t tell me anything that will help me. Some promise to help me but they don’t leave to their promises. I want to thank Atieno Otieno who has been with me up to date together with my family,” Conjestina said.

Conjestina, who is fondly known as ‘Hands of Stone’ by her fans, says she has not received any financial support to help her cope up with her condition.

She thanked the organization for coming to her aid to bail her out of the hospital after the discharge.

The Maendeleo Ya Wanawake promised that the organization will not relent in its effort to assist the boxer and her family.

The organization chairlady Atieno Otieno says there is need to keep in touch with the boxer to give her moral support.

“We have been working with our sister Conjestina Achieng who is a national hero, she has heard a few challenges after being sick for over six years and we appreciate many people who have always tried to help her,” Otieno stated.

“We have realized that for Conjestina to be fine, we need to walk with her as a team constantly so me and my friends from the legal profession and Maendeleo Ya Wanawake we are working with her and her son so that we are able to see she goes through this difficult time in her life.”

Otieno promised that the organization will not relent in its effort to assist the boxer and her family.

Three years ago, Conjestina was detained in a hospital in Kisumu for failing to raise Sh500, 000, taking the intervention of friends to bail her out.

Conjestina Achieng when she was discharged from hospital in Kisumu on Tuesday.

Conjestina became the first African woman to hold an international title when she beat Ugandan Fiona Tugume to take the vacant WIBF middleweight title.

After seven amateur bouts, she made her professional debut in 2002 which earned her product endorsements.

But then disaster struck. In January 2011, Conjestina’s father sent an appeal to Kenyans to help him take her to hospital after her behaviour deteriorated from the norm.

According to the farther, Conjestina had removed her son from school, set ablaze to all her boxing gear and disposed of all the equipment from her gymnasium, which she had opened in 2009. She was admitted at the Mathari mental hospital in Nairobi and later released.

-By Ojwang Joe-

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Allan Wanga has made a return to Tusker FC from Tanzania giants Azam FC.PHOTO/Michezo Africa.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 30 – A total of 47 players drawn from the Kenyan Premier League clubs have been selected ahead of the first ever football match pitting English Premier League side Hull City and a Kenyan select side in February.

The provisional squad that includes 16 year old Joshua Otieno will report training camp in January.

Preparations for the big game at the KCOM Stadium began earlier in November when two of the Hull City Academy coaches, Richard Naylor and Kris Blakeston visited Kenya on a scouting mission to pick out the country’s top football talent.

Tasked with selecting 50 players to attend a special training camp, the English duo took in international fixtures against Mozambique and Liberia, league matches and training sessions at the country’s top clubs but selected only 47.

With shortlists and player recommendations now submitted, coaches will return to Kenya for the training camp early in the New Year to pick out the top 16 players who will go on to form the SportPesa All Stars squad that will travel to England to take on Hull City in February.

“SportPesa All Stars is the beginning of Kenya’s journey to qualification for the World Cup in 2022 and we look forward to the two matches they will play against Hull City,” SportPesa Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said.

The friendly match at the KCOM Stadium in the United Kingdom next year is part of Hull City’s continued support of shirt sponsor SportPesa’s commitment to develop Kenyan football to global standards, and their efforts to help Kenya qualify for their first ever World Cup in 2022.

“SportPesa All Stars project is truly unique. It fully demonstrates that our partnership with SportPesa goes way beyond a branding exercise and is something that is having a positive impact in developing Kenyan football,” Hull City Commercial Manager Simon King stated.

“The first stage of the project has gone incredibly well and we now look forward to organising the training camp in January when our coaches will have the tough task of picking a squad to play at the KCOM Stadium in February.”

This comes at a time when Hull City are also working closely with the betting firm on the ‘Kits For Kenya’ campaign, which calls on supporters to donate any football kit items to be sent out to Kenya to help enhance the prospects of young players in the country.

Gor Mahia midfielder Francis Kahata leads celebrations after scoring the winner to book a final berth in 2016 KPT Top 8.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.

Deposit boxes can be found in Hull City’s Leisure stores at the KCOM Stadium and Prospect Shopping Centre until the end of December for any fans that wish to donate.

Selected players:

Goalkeepers

Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers)

Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia)

David Okello (Tusker)

Gabriel Andika (Western Stima)

Defenders

Robinson Kamura (Mathare United)

Lloyd Wahome (Tusker)

James Situma (Tusker)

Rogers Omondi (Ulinzi Stars)

Wesley Onguso (Western Stima)

Charles Momanyi (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Christopher Oruchum (Thika United)

Joackins Atudo (Posta Rangers)

Simon Mbugua (Posta Rangers)

Eric Ouma (Gor Mahia)

Haron Shakava (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders

Mieno Humphrey (Tusker)

Cersidy Okeyo (Tusker)

Osborn Monday (Tusker)

Haron Nyakha (AFC Leopards)

Michael Otieno (Ulinzi Stars)

Apollo Otieno Onyango (Chemilil Sugar)

Edwin Clifford Omondi (Chemilil Sugar)

Dennis Monda (Sony Sugar)

Joshua Otieno (Sony Sugar)

Ali Bai (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Cavin Odongo (Posta Rangers)

David Kingatua (Bandari)

Amos Nondi (Gor Mahia)

Eston Esiye (Western Stima)

Strikers

Paul Kiongera (AFC Leopards)

Eric Johana (Mathare United)

Moses Odhiambo (Sofapaka)

Paul Odhiambo (Sofapaka)

Antony Ndolo (Tusker)

Allan Wanga (Tusker)

Cliff Kasuti (Ulinzi Stars)

John Makwata (Ulinzi Stars)

Hubert Kopany (Western Stima)

Brian Marita (Western Stima)

Erastus Mwaniki (Chemelil Sugar)

Victor Majid (Chemelil Sugar)

Samuel Ndungu (Muhoroni Youth)

Eugene Mukangula (Thika United)

Georson Likono (Posta Rangers)

Geofrey Kataka (Posta Rangers)

Darius Msagha (Bandari)

Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia)

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Sammy Omollo who has signed a one year deal with KPL side Posta Rangers has been given a target of finishing top five next season.PHOTO/courtesy

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 30 – Posta Rangers have appointed Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo as the head coach for a period of one year.

While confirming the appointment, club chairman John Tonui said Omollo has a target of steering the club to a top five finish next season when the Kenyan Premier League is expected to have 18 teams.

“We have appointed Sammy Omollo as the head coach and he will be tasked to prepare the team well during pre-season. Our target still remains finishing among the top five in 2017 and we have faith the new coach has experience to make us even win a title,” Tonui told Capital Sport on Wednesday.

Tonui said the immediate former coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has been appointed the new Technical Director.

However, Omollo told Capital Sport that the deal is yet to be finalized as he is still in talks with the Kenyan Premier League side that finished fourth on 45 points in the just concluded season.

Omollo, who has massive experience in coaching returns to the top flight league for the first time since 2013 when he was managing Sony Sugar.

He led his old club Tusker FC to the 2012 title before moving to the then KPL side Oserian FC the following year.

The 46-year-old decorated coach, who was named the 2011 Coach of the Year at the KPL and Sports Personality of the Year Awards, started his managing career in 2009 at Mahakama FC.

Before joining Posta, Omollo was an assistant coach with Indian side East Bengal where he moved in 2015 after coaching National Super League side Zetech University FC.

He is expected to bolster the Poster Rangers squad that is looking to win first domestic silverware in the top flight league.

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Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro (left), National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi (center) and Speaker of East African Community Fred Kidega (right) during the launch of the East African Community Parliamentary Games. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 30 – Kenyan Parliamentarians have been challenged to win the football title that has eluded them when the seventh edition of the East African Community Parliamentary Games will be held from December 4 -10 in Mombasa County.

The games were officially launched Wednesday at Parliament buildings by both the National Assembly and Senate Speakers with over 1,000 participants set to compete in football, athletics, netball, tug of war, golf and volleyball.

The games are open to member countries of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) which are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi while South Sudan is the latest member but will not participate in this edition.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi is optimistic Kenya will retain the overall title as well as break the jinx of winning the men’s football title.

“As we head down to the Coast we go there with our heads high because we will begin as defending champions for the overall title. My hope is that the football trophy that has eluded us all this years, we will be able to wrestle it from EALA who managed to win it from Uganda and we believe it can be done,” Muturi said.

“I hope that some of my key strikers like Jakoyo Midiwo will put their best feet forward and ensure this is achieved. The main aim of the games is to deepen and widen the cooperation within the partner state and indeed strengthen the ties and relations among the people of the region and be one united East African Community,” he added.

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi during the launch of the East African Parliamentary Games in Nairobi.PHOTO/Ramond Makhaya

Muturi said they decided to take the games to Mombasa to show the world that the county is safe from terror attacks unlike in the past.

“There has been negative publicity about what was happing in the coast and we thought that hosting the games in Mombasa will be an opportunity for us as a country to showcase what we have been able to do in eradicating stigma of terrorism.”

“In the last few years the National Government has done a lot to ensure there is peace and safety in Mombasa and the menace of terrorism has been dealt with,” Muturi added.

His Senate counterpart Ekwee Ethuro hopes the games will be a perfect platform to preach peace and harmony ahead of 2017 General Elections.

“Our participation in these games is a commitment to our participation in East Africa Community. I noticed that every time we have an election the games come to Kenya, the last time it was here was in 2012 so I’m just hoping the rest of the East Africa is coming to give us goodwill that we will go to the elections in a peaceful manner,” Ethuro declared.

Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro during the East Africa Parliamentary Games launch in Nairobi.PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

“The only reason why EALA won the football category is because I was missing in action so this time round I will ensure the title comes to Kenya. As a Parliament we had a very great football team and we want to continue in that tradition. We have committed ourselves out of our very busy schedule to train so we are hoping that we will retain all the trophies in Mombasa.”

The games will be held at the Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa Stadium and Nyali Golf Club.

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Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario (left) and his Principal Secretary Richard Ekai when they appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Labor and Social Affairs on September 6, 2016. PHOTO/TIMOTHY OLOBULU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 30 – The Parliamentary Committee on Social Labour and Welfare that was tasked to investigate the Rio Olympics scandal, has put the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts on the spotlight over Sh1billion set aside for rewarding athletes that participated in the games.

According to the David Were chaired committee report that was released on Wednesday, Sh1 billion was set aside towards rewarding athletes by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts including paying allowances.

However, the report recommended that the Ministry of Sports should provide an itemized budget showing how Sh1 billion set aside for Sports activities will be used in rewarding athletes that participated in the Rio Olympics.

Also outlined in the report is huge disparity in ticketing, accommodation, accreditation and uniform distribution to Team Kenya.

From the total budget of Sh583, 460, 966 approved for the Rio Olympics where the Ministry of Sports contributed Sh499, 777, 426 and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) contributed Sh83, 683, 540, all the money was not accounted for.

And it’s from this that the committee has recommended the office of the Auditor General to undertake a detailed forensic audit of any money allocated from the consolidated fund towards facilitating the Rio 2016 Summer Games and table a report before the appropriate Committee of the National Assembly within three months of the adoption of the report.

“The Auditor General should undertake special audit on the expenditure relating to the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics including the procurement of tickets so as to determine the actual number of air tickets procured, dispatched and the actual recipients since the committee could not authenticate the veracity of the documents purporting to account for the same,” part of the recommendations from the report read.

The ticketing schedule provided by the Ministry of Sports indicated that 87 tickets were procured for athletes. However, the Committee established that only 80 athletes travelled to Rio.

Also the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Arts Hassan Wario submitted that 214 tickets were procured for Team Kenya while the documents presented indicated that 184 people were scheduled to travel to Rio.

This is despite David Rudisha, Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Chepng’etich, Asbel Kiprop paying their own ticket to Rio.

The report wants NOCK chairman Kipchoge Keino and his Secretary General F.K Paul reimburse the money spent in procuring tickets for their sons Ian Keino and Vincent Paul respectively.

On the kits, it was recommended that the Ministry of Sports should invite sports manufactures company NIKE to undertake a special audit on the expenditure relating to the Rio 2016 Games, including the procurement and supply of uniforms so as to establish the actual number of uniforms received and disbursed, as the committee could not authenticate the veracity of the documents tabled before it.

The report was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday after taking close to three months to compile the report while the Senate is yet to release its report.

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Kenya Lionesses started on a high in Dubai 7s

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 1 – The national women’s sevens team started their Dubai 7s campaign with a 17-12 win over Belgium in Pool B on Thursday afternoon.

It was a closely fought contest but the Kenya Lionesses managed to squeeze through and start on a high.

Skipper Philadelphia Olando unconverted effort gave the Lionesses a 5-0 lead before the Belgians briefly led the Kenyans with a converted effort.

 It took a turn of speed from Janet Okello to touch down and give the Lionesses the lead with Janet Owino adding the conversion for a 12-7 lead at the break.

Okello’s second try in mid second half saw the Lionesses go 17-7 up, Belgium landing at the death, an inconsequential touchdown as the Kenyans started their campaign on a winning note.

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Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma in action in a past KPL match.PHOTO/Gor Mahia

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 1 – Youngsters Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma from Gor Mahia and Western Stima’s Kenneth Muguna are among five players nominated for the Most Valuable Player gong in the 2016 KPL Footballer of the Year Awards scheduled to be held December 13.

Ulinzi Stars forward John Mark Makwatta, Tusker FC duo of midfielder Humphrey Mieno and goal keeper David Okello complete the shortlist of the MVP where the winner will receive Sh1mn and 43-inch smart television from electronics firm LG.

Speaking when announcing the nominees of the 12 categories on Thursday, KPL Operations, Liaison and logistics officer Frank Okoth said the process was done fairly by the 16 coaches from the Kenyan Premier League, captains and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Football Commission members.

Ouma, who joined the top flight league this season straight from Kakamega High School, has been impressive with Gor Mahia where he managed to cement his starting position at left-back and benching Rwandan Abuoba Sibomana.

His excellent display of overlapping the left wing and bring in deadly pin-point crosses also saw him earn a call up in the national football team Harambee Stars.

It was also the first season for Muguna in the top tier league and he has impressed as he is the focal point of Western Stima’s midfield, helping them finish sixth in the 2016 season.

His sterling performance saw him named the August SportPesa SJAK Player of the Month for August.

Muguna is also in the shortlist for New Player, Okello in Goalkeeper of the year, while Mieno will also be seeking to win the midfielder of the year category.

Western Stima midfielder Kenneth ‘Junior’ Muguna receives his August player of the month award from a SportPesa representative at the Moi Stadium in Kisumu on September 13, 2016. PHOTO/ALEX ISABOKE

Makwatta leads the Golden Boot Award after scoring 15 goals followed by Wycliffe Ochomo who netted 12 while third place is AFC Leopards forward Kepha Aswani.

Gor custodian Boniface Oluoch, who won last year’s Golden Glove, will be seeking to win it for the second year in a row just as he did in 2011 and 2012 while at Tusker FC.

Oluoch will battle it out with Patrick Matasi from Posta Rangers, Tusker’s Okello, James Saruni of Ulinzi Stars and Kakamega Homeboyz’s Michael Wanyika.

Defender of the year has Sofapaka’s Noah Abich who helped Batoto Ba Mungu survive relegation, Jockins Atudo (Posta Rangers), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), George ‘Wise’ Owino (Mathare United) and Tusker captain James Situma.

Mieno will battle it out with Mathare United’s Wyvonne Isuza, Chemelil’s Hillary Echesa and Gor’s Francis Kahata in the top prize of the Midfielder of the Year.

Having led Tusker FC to a double this season, winning the KPL title and GOtv Shield, Ugandan tactician Paul Nkata has been nominated for the Coach of the Year award alongside Gor’s Jose ‘Zemaria’ Marecelo, Chemelil’s Francis Baraza, Western Stima’s Henry Omino and Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno who was with Posta Rangers before he was relieved of his duties.

Winners in each category will receive cash prizes and 43-in smart television from LG.

Tusker FC head coach Paul Nkata has been named the November Coach of the Month.PHOTO/File

Full list of nominees

Most Valuable Player

Erick Ouma (Gor Mahia), John Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars), David Okello (Tusker FC), Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC).

Goalkeeper of the Year

Patrick Matasi (Posta Rangers), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), David Okello (Tusker FC), James Saruni (Ulinzi Stars), Michael Wanyika (Kakamega Homeboyz).

Defender of the Year

George Owino (Mathare United), Noah Abich (Sofapaka), Musa Mohammed (Gor Mahia), Joackins Atudo (Posta Rangers), James Situma (Tusker FC)

Midfielder of the Year

Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Wyvonne Isuza (Mathare United), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker FC), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Hillary Echesa (Chemelil Sugar)

Golden Boot

John Makwatta (Ulinzi Stars), Wycliffe Ochomo (Muhoroni Youth), Kepha Aswani (AFC Leopards)

New player of the Year

Erick Marcelo Ouma (Gor Mahia), Kenneth Muguna (Western Stima), Cavin Odongo (Posta Rangers), Jacques Tuyisenge (Gor Mahia), Oliver Maloba (City Stars)

Coach of the Year

Paul Nkata (Tusker FC), Francis Baraza (Chemelil Sugar), Henry Omino (Western Stima), Jose Ferreira (Gor Mahia), Zedekiah Otieno (Posta Rangers)

Fair Play Team of the Year

Sony Sugar, Mathare United, Gor Mahia, Kakamega Homeboyz, Western Stima

Fair Play Player of the Year

Jared Obwoge (Chemelil Sugar), Francis Kahata (Gor Mahia), Amos Asembeka (Sony Sugar), Ali Bhai (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Team Manager of the Year

Moses Jobita (Western Stima), George Opondo (Tusker FC), Pascal Ochieng’ (Posta Rangers), David Mwangi (Ulinzi Stars), Hillary Ouma (Chemelil Sugar)

Centre referee of the Year

Anthony Ogwayo, Davies Omweno, David Mulongo, Andrew Juma, Badir Yassin

Assistant referee of the year

John Alando, Gilbert Cheruiyot, Steven Oduor, Peter Sabatia, Mary Njoroge

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The Kenya Lionesses team posing for a photo after qualifying for the Dubai 7s quarters.PHOTO/KRU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 1 – The national women’s sevens team are through to the Main Cup quarter-final after beating Ireland Women Development side 20-12 in Dubai Sevens on Thursday.

The Kenya Lionesses will now face Tabusoro Angels in a match to be played on Friday at 8:40am Kenyan time at The Sevens Stadium.

The team coached by Kevin Wambua bounced back from a 14-19 loss against Poland to edge out Tribe Sevens 14-7 and keep their cup title ambitions in the International Invitational Women’s Category at the Dubai Sevens alive.

Stung by the Poles in their second pool B fixture, the Lionesses came into this match like a wounded Lioness getting the better of the Tribe on offense and defense, landing their tries through captain Philadelphia Olando and Sheila Chagira.

In the opening match, the Lionesses beat Belgium 17-12 to start their campaign on the high.

It was a closely fought contest but the Lionesses managed to squeeze through and start on a positive note.

Olando unconverted effort gave the Lionesses a 5-0 lead before the Belgians briefly led the Kenyans with a converted effort.

 It took a turn of speed from Janet Okello to touch down and give the Lionesses the lead with Janet Owino adding the conversion for a 12-7 lead at the break.

Okello’s second try in mid second half saw the Lionesses go 17-7 up, Belgium landing at the death, an inconsequential touchdown as the Kenyans started their campaign on a winning note.

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Kenya Sevens lost 24-14 in her opening match at the Dubai 7s.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – Kenya Sevens launched their 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series on a losing note following their 24-14 defeat at the hands of France in the opening leg in Dubai Sevens on Friday morning.

Kenya under new head coach Innocent Simiyu had a solid start to hold France in the first half where they led 14-5 with Nelson Oyoo opening the scores before Willy Ambaka grounded the second converted try.

Simiyu fielded a strong line-up that was led by captain Andrew Amonde, Ambaka, Frank Wanyama, Leonard Mugaisi, Billy Odhiambo, Augustine Lugonzo and Oyoo who was the only player who was not on the Rio Olympics squad.

Mugaisi started off Kenya superbly with a lovely kick-off that was won by Ambaka before feeding Amonde who set-up Oyoo for the opening try underneath the post for Lugonzo to convert.

Kenya held possession to pin down France on their area and the pressure paid as Lugonzo set up Ambaka with a short pass to go under the post for the second converted try that saw Shujaa lead 14-0.

The Frenchmen managed to touch down two quick tries to reduce the deficit to four points after Kenya lost concentration at the back to concede the unconverted tries at the left corner.

Things got worse for Kenya in the second half as errors cost them to concede three tries and see France make a comeback to win the game that cemented their dominance over Shujaa.

In the second match, Kenya bounced back to beat Japan 17-7 and revive their chances of qualifying to the Main Cup quarters.

With Australia having qualified after thrashing France 28-0, Shujaa will have to beat the Australians when the two sides meet at 5:22pm Kenyan time in the last match of Group D.

Frank Wanyama touched down first in the must-win game for the Shujaa Sevens but Leon Ellison levelled it up with his first-ever sevens try but second-half scores from Dan Sikuta and William Ambaka give Kenya their first win of the series this season.

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Kenya Lionesses taking on Belgium in Dubai Sevens.PHOTO/KRU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – The national women’s sevens team lost 17-10 to Tibe in the bronze match at the Dubai Sevens International Invitational Category on Friday.

The Kenya Lionesses reached the bronze play-off after a sudden death 17-12 semifinal loss to Belgium.

Kevin Wambua’s charges were left playing catch up in this fixture, finding themselves 12-0 down inside the opening three minutes.

They would breach the Belgian try line, Janet Okello landing the opening try but Janet Owino inexplicablt missed the center post conversion.

Celestine Masinde would soon add a second try, Owino tying the score with a conversion on the stroke of half time.

The second half was barren and error strewn despite the Lionesses putting Belgium on the ropes.

They were left rueing their missed chances when the Belgians, in a rare spell of possession midway through the first half of extra, capitalized on indecisive defending from Kenya to score and book a berth in the final against Samurai.

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Patrick Makau during the 2015 Fukuoka Marathon (Takefumi Tsutsui / Agence SHOT) © Copyright

JAPAN, Dec 2 – Defending Fukuoka International Marathon champion Patrick Makau will be targeting a third consecutive victory at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race on Sunday.

In its 70-year history, only four runners – USA’s Frank Shorter, Canada’s Jerome Drayton, Japan’s Toshihiko Seko and Ethiopia’s Gezahegne Abera – have won the Fukuoka Marathon more than twice.

Among them, only Shorter and Seko have won this race three times in a row. Makau, having won this race for the past two years, has a chance to match them.

The course record of 2:05:18 was set by Tsegaye Kebede in 2009. Among the fastest marathons in the world, only Rotterdam has an older course record, so a new standard in Fukuoka is perhaps overdue.

Three runners in this year’s elite field – including former world record-holder Makau – have PBs faster than the course record. Kenya’s James Kwambai, with a best of 2:04:27, and Yemane Tsegaye, with a best of 2:04:48, are the other two.

“My condition is good and I am prepared to run well on Sunday,” said Makau at the pre-race press conference.

“I think it is possible to run around 2:06 to 2:07 on Sunday.” He added that Tsegaye and Kwambai seem to be his toughest opponents and that he might make his move early instead of leaving it until the very end.

“How I race depends on Sunday’s weather,” said Tsegaye. “Even after the pace makers drop out (they are scheduled to cover 3:00 kilometres until 30km), I would like to keep up the pace.”

Other invited runners from abroad are Cuthbert Nyasango with a best of 2:09:52, Eritrea’s Amanuel Mesel with a personal best of 2:08:17 and Poland’s Henryk Szost with a best of 2:07:39.

Szost has run the Fukuoka Marathon three times and always finished better than sixth and faster than 2:10:03. Nyasango and Mesel both contested the Fukuoka Marathon last year, with Nyasango finishing 15th and Mesel failing to finish.

Athletes at the press conference ahead of the Fukuoka Marathon (Ken Nakamura) © Copyright

Once called the unofficial world championships before the advent of the IAAF World Championships in 1983, this year’s race is one of the qualifying races for Japanese athletes targeting the IAAF World Championships London 2017.

Of the Japanese athletes set to compete on Sunday, only Kazuhiro Maeda and Yuki Kawauchi have PBs faster than 2:09, but a recent calf injury for Kawauchi may mean that he might not be at his absolute best, while Maeda has not run faster than 2:11 since 2013.

Maeda made the World Championships team in 2009, 2013 and 2015, but his best performance in Fukuoka is a sixth-place finish in 2011 in 2:11:46.

Kawauchi, who made the 2011 World Championships team, has contested the Fukuoka marathon six times with his best performance being a third-place finish in 2013 in 2:09:05.

Tomoya Adachi, Chiharu Takada and Yoshiki Otsuka – all of whom recorded their personal bests in Fukuoka – will also be vying for the coveted spots on the team. And there’s always a chance of a new Japanese runner coming out of the woodwork to claim a spot on the team.

“I have been injury free for the past year, so my training volume is at least 2000km greater than the average year,” said Adachi. “In the past three months I have done five or six 40km runs in about 2:15. I am keying off Kawauchi because I know he will be tenacious.”

Kawauchi, who is coming back from an injury, said: “I am pain free but I missed my half marathon work out at the Ageo Half as well as my interval work out.”

Historically, Japan-based Kenyans have run well in Fukuoka. Martin Mathathi, Joseph Gitau and Josephat Ndambiri have won the Fukuoka Marathon in the past five years while running for corporate-sponsored Japanese teams.

This year, four Africans who run for Japanese corporate teams are invited: Benjamin Ngandu, Melaku Abera, Yared Asmerom and marathon debutant Paul Kuira, who has a half-marathon PB of 59:47.

Elite field

Patrick Makau (KEN) 2:03:38

James Kwambai (KEN) 2:04:27

Yemane Tsegay (ETH) 2:04:48

Yared Asmerom (ERI) 2:07:27

Henryk Szost (POL) 2:07:39

Kazuhiro Maeda (JPN) 2:08:00

Yuki Kawauchi (JPN) 2:08:14

Amanuel Mesel (ERI) 2:08:17

Benjamin Ngandu (KEN) 2:09:18

Melaku Abera (ETH) 2:09:27

Cuthbert Nyasango (ZIM) 2:09:52

Tomoya Adachi (JPN) 2:09:59

Chiharu Takada (JPN) 2:10:03

Yoshiki Otsuka (JPN) 2:11:40

Paul Kuira (KEN) debut

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Kenya’s Leonard Mugaisi breaks away from Japan on day one of HSBC World Rugby Men’s Sevens Series 2016-17 opener in Dubai on 2 December, 2016. Photo: Mike Jones / World Rugby.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 –  Kenya’s hopes of reaching a Main Cup quarter-final was dashed by Australia after going down 17-12 in their last Group D fixture at the opening leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series season in Dubai Rugby 7s on Friday.

The result meant that Kenya was relegated to the Bowl competition where they will face Canada in a fight for eight points that is below head coach Innocent Simiyu’s target of 10 points.

Shujaa only managed to win one match in their preliminary round after bouncing back from a 24-14 defeat at the hands of France to beat Japan 17-7.

Heading to their last match of the Pool, Simiyu made changes to his starting line-up where Brian Tanga made his World Series debut.

Martin Owila also started as Leonard Mugaisi and Frank Wanyama were relegated to the bench.

Entering the clash from a win against Japan, Shujaa needed to beat Australia by a big margin for them to qualify for the cup quarters.

However, things did not go their way as Ed Jenkins sent Australia ahead with his 105th sevens career try.

Kenya were struggling at the breakdown to give an opportunity for 21-year-old Charlie Taylor who punished the Kenyans by running in his first-ever sevens series try.

 But right on the stroke of the break William Ambaka touched down his third try of the day to bring Simiyu’s side back in the contest.

The second half turned out to be a battle of power and precision as bit of indecision from Australia and Kenya slowed the game down.

However, Billy ‘The Kid’ Odhiambo had his first score of the weekend but, just at the hooter, Charlie Taylor stole it for Australia to seal the win that ensured they top Group D.

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Kimathi has already spoken with FIA president Jean Todt, who at a meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta last year in Kenya, pledged his personal support for the Safari.PHOTO/courtesy.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 3 – The government of Kenya will offer all necessary  guarantees  prescribed  by the International Motorsport Federation (FIA) to support Safari Rally’s bid back to the high profile World Rally Championship by 2019.

Last Friday, the Ministry for Sports, Arts and Culture, Hassan Wario sent the Kenya Motorsport Federation (KMSF) chairman, Phineas Kimathi to the FIA General Assembly in Vienna, Austria to deliver the commitment letter to the FIA’s commercial rights holder, the WRC Promoter.

This comes in the wake of a visit to Kenya by the FIA president, Jean Todt on December 12 of which the Kenya Motorsport federation will issue details of his itinerary later.

 “The Kenya Government will offer all forms of guarantees including financial obligations towards the event, the FIA and WRC Promoter,” Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario wrote to the WRC Promoter Managing Director, Oliver Ciesla.

“We shall constitute inter-government agencies Local organizing Committee in conjunction with the KMSF once we get the go ahead from the WRC,” added Wario in the letter copied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

 The re-admission of the Safari back to the WRC was part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Manifesto. The president met with Todt last year at State House, Nairobi when he personally re-affirmed Kenya government’s desire to have the Safari back in the WRC.

“As a priority, the government shall put in place the  necessary structures leading towards  a full WRC  Safari in 2019 after running a candidate event in 2018 and 2017 Africa Rally Championship event as a dry run WRC Safari, said the Minister.

“In our considered opinion,  we request the WRC promoter and  the FIA to offer us all necessary support in areas of technical, communication and any other assistance you may deem fit in the lead up towards a 2019 WRC Safari Rally because the WRC Safari is good for our tourism and Kenya’s image and attractiveness.”

The FIA WRC Promoter venture, headed by Ciesla of The Sportsman Media Group and Jona Siebel of the Red Bull Media House as managing directors, is responsible for all commercial aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship.

These include broadcast formats, TV productions and the marketing of global media and sponsorship rights. The WRC Promoter also has the responsibility to promote the WRC and to increase the field of participants, consisting both manufacturers and private teams, subject to the approval of FIA.

The Promoter has also the mandate to propose the venues that will form the FIA WRC calendar in future seasons. Ciesla confirmed receipt of the letter and will respond in due course.

In his earlier communication to Kimathi he indicated FIA’s desire to have the Safari re-admitted back to the WRC because of geo-political reason.

“On behalf of the WRC Promoter, I may confirm our strong support to bringing back the “Safari” into the WRC,” Ciesla wrote to Kimathi on June 24.

“It would match our strategic plans to have a WRC event on the African continent and bring to the WRC fans worldwide the unique images that only a rally on Kenyan soil can deliver.

We encourage you to engage with your government and we will provide you with all the assistance.”

Kimathi said the world of motorsport is excited with the possible return of the Safari in the WRC. “I have had fruitful discussions with the WRC Promoter and top officials of the FIA here in Vienna,” said Kimathi.

“Next week I will have several meetings with manufacturers and other stakeholders as I can the feasibility of this project,” said Kimathi. This will be his second visit to Italy since June during the FIA Sports Conference where the Safari re-admission buzz featured prominently.

The Safari lost its WRC status in 2002 due to lack of government support and failure of the then Safari Rally Limited to meet its financial obligations to the FIA including Ksh2 million license fee.

The FIA felt slighted owing to the fact that a WRC Safari was injecting in excess of Ksh600 million directly into the Kenyan economy and over Ksh60 billion in indirect advertising through global television reaching over 1.5 billion viewers  annually in 150 countries.

Last year, according to the WRC Promoter, the World Rally Championship reached a cumulative global audience of 775 million global TV audiences and generated over 9,150 broadcast hours in 150 countries. Over 1,300 journalists covered the events in over 1000 newspapers and magazines.

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Kenya Lionesses head coach Kevin Wambua has hailed his charges after their performance in Dubai Invitational tournament. PHOTO/KRU

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 3 – Kenya Lionesses head coach Kevin Wambua has spoken about his side’s performance at the Dubai Sevens where they played in the Women’s International Invitational Category.

Speaking after his side’s 10-17 loss to Tribe Sevens in the bronze medal match on Friday, Wambua said, “ Of course we are gutted.”

“We need to be a lot more consistent in terms of results and our focus moving forward is geared towards developing a winning mentality amongst the team,” Wambua said.

“It’s evident that we dominated possession and territory but simply lacked the killer instinct, we need to finish off matches. This however will only come with more exposure…we’d like a scenario where we are playing  four to six tournaments a season,” he added.

The Lionesses try scorers in the bronze medal match were Irene Otieno and Sheila Chagira. The team returns to Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.

Lionesses Collated Results

Pool Matches

W 17-12 v Belgium

L 14-19 v Poland

W 14-7 v Tribe

W 20-12 v Ireland Development

Quarters

W 29-5 v Tabusoro

Semis

L 12-17 v Belgium

Bronze Medal Match

L 10-17 v Tribe

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December 03, 2016; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; #7 Kenya vs. Canada during the HSBC World Rugby Men’s Sevens Series Challenge Trophy Quarter Finals match at The Sevens Stadium. Photo credit: Michael Lee – Taiwan Mike Photography

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 3 – Kenya collected five points in the opening leg of the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series season after falling 19-21 to USA in the Challenge Trophy (Bowl) semi-final at the Dubai 7s on Saturday.

Shujaa managed to win only two out of five matches after also losing to France and Australia in the preliminary round.

Entering the semi-final from a 22-14 victory over Canada in the Bowl quarters, the Innocent Simiyu side needed to beat USA, a team coached by former Kenya 7s head coach Mike Friday to keep their hopes of bagging eight points alive.

USA scored the opening try when Perry Baker was cut-off down the outside but managed to pick out Danny Barrett for their first before Baker offloaded inside to Madison Hughes who converts his own try.

Kenya responded when William Ambaka led by example to shake off the challenge of Folau Niua to score his fourth try in tournament. There was more joy for Kenya, with Nelson Oyoo this time grounding an outstanding try.

Returning for the second half, a second converted try of the match from Madison Hughes, who was the leading scorer in the 2015-16 sevens series ensured the Americans take the lead and increase the tempo of the game.

Ambaka grabbed a brace but despite that, USA came through against Kenya to seasl the win and head to the final where they will meet Samoa.

Against Canada, Kenya were 22-14 winners after making a strong start to this encounter.

Cyrpian Kuto went over for the try as they led 5-0. Augustine Lugonzo would soon be played in by Kuto to land a second try as Kenya go 10-0 up, a lead they held to half time.

Justin Douglas’ converted effort after the restart brought Canada to within three points of Kenya but Innocent Simiyu’s charges pulled further away, Nelson Oyoo burning his opponents for speed to score under the posts with Brian Tanga adding the extra two points.

Canada would lose possession deep in Kenyan territory, Leonard Mugaisi picking the loose ball, racing clear to score at the corner before Kartsen Leitner’s late converted effort brought closed off the scoring at 22-14.K

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Yemane Tsegay (r) and Patrick Makau (l) and Yemane Tsegay (r) at the 2016 Fukuoka Marathon. Tsegay won the race with Makau second. (Kabuki Matsunaga/Agence SHOT) © Copyright

FUKUOKA, Japan, Dec 4 – Making his decisive move just before the 40th kilometre, Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia won the 70th Fukuoka International Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label road Race, on Sunday.

Running in difficult conditions, the 31-year-old, who won the silver medal at the 2015 World Championships, clocked 2:08:48 to prevent two-time defending champion Patrick Makau from collecting a third straight victory.

Hindered by steady rains, high humidity and relatively strong winds which severely impacted the performances, Tsegay’s time was the slowest winning time since the 2004 edition.

The conditions likely affected the pacemaking, with none of the pacesetters reaching 30 kilometres as anticipated.

After a cautious opening 20 kilometres, the pace actually quickened when the pacesetters departed just beyond the midway point, with the 20-25 kilometre stretch covered in 15:06, eight seconds faster than the previous five kilometres.

As the pace quickened the pack stretched out and eventually six runners – Amanuel Mesel, Tsegay, Jared Asmerom, Melaku Abera, Tariku Bekele and Yuki Kawauchi – had broken away. Makau maintained contact, shadowing the lead pack.

The first big move came when Kawauchi broke away, with just Abera, the 2016 Beppu-Oita Marathon champion, responding, first covering the move and then breaking away on his own.

Abera lead for the next several kilometres; behind him, Makau joined Kawauchi in the chase pack while Asmeron was the next to drift back.

At 32 kilometres, Bekele fell back and a kilometre later Makau and Tsegay went in pursuit of Abera.

They caught and passed him at 34 kilometres, briefly making it a two-man race until Tsegay dropped Makau with just over two kilometres remaining.

“I am happy with the win, but I am not happy with my time,” Tsegay said.

“I was training to run 2:05 to 2:06 range and my training indicated that it is possible. However, because of the rain my legs got a little stiff and thus my time was not good.”

“I tried to gap Makau around 35K but because of the wind it was not a good move. I made my move again around 38km and then finally at 40Km. After 41km I was convinced that I was going to win.”

Makau was second nine seconds behind the winner, Kawauchi, on the rebound from recent injuries, was third in 2:09:11. It was the 29-year-old’s 10th sub-2:10 performance, a first among Japanese marathoners.

Fukuoka was the first of the three Japanese qualifying races for the IAAF World Championships London 2017, with the Tokyo Marathon in February and Lake Biwa in March still to come.

With the Japanese federation setting a challenging 2:07 automatic qualifying standard, Kawauchi stands a good chance to make the London-bound squad based on his performance here.

Hayato Sonoda, a 2:17 marathoner coming in, clocked a massive personal best of 2:10:40 to finish fourth.

Leading Results:

1. Yemane Tsegay, ETH 2:08:48
2. Patrick Makau, KEN 2:08:57
3. Yuki Kawauchi, JPN 2:09:11
4. Hayato Sonoda, JPN 2:10:40
5. Amanuel Mesel, ERI 2:10:48
6. Henryk Szost, POL 2:10:53
7. Reid Coolsaet, CAN 2:10:55
8. Dmytro Baranovskyy, UKR 2:11:39
9. Yared Asmerom, ERI 2:11:57
10. Kazuhiro Maeda, JPN 2:12:19

Splits:

5Km – 5:01

10Km – 30:09 – 15:08

15Km – 45:35 – 15:26

20Km – 60:59 – 15:24

Half – 64:24

25Km – 1:16:07 – 15:08

30Km – 1:31:03 – 14:56

35Km – 1:46:28 – 15:25

40Km – 2:02:05 – 15:37

42.195km – 2:08:48 – 6:43

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President Uhuru Kenyatta having a chat with Cherengany MP Wesley Korir.PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 4- President Uhuru Kenyatta will receive the Rio Olympics probe report this week, and has already pledged that he will implement all its recommendations.

The report unravels what appears to have been an elaborate scheme between National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and officials in the sports ministry to loot the Sh590 million budgeted for the Games.

The officials are accused of the misappropriation of over Sh88 million meant for Team Kenya during the for Rio 2016 games.

“This report hasn’t yet been handed over to the President. We look forward to it being handed over this week so that the necessary actions that require to be taken can be implemented so that we can put this episode way behind us,” State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu told journalists at a briefing Sunday.

It is understood that the report also want NOCK officials to account for some Sh126 million they receive annually from American sports apparel manufacturer, Nike after the firm submitted their contract with the national Olympics body.

Team Kenya Head of Mission, Stephen arap Soi has already been charged with five counts of theft of Ksh25, 907,705.82 meant for the Olympics but that is now emerging to be less than a third of the figure said to have been misappropriated by officials at the ministry according to the report.

Fellow Nock bosses; Francis Kinyili Paul (Secretary General) and Pius Ochieng (First Vice-Chairman) like Soi are also out on bail on charges of stealing kit from Nike but the sponsorship money and winning bonuses for athletes paid out for medalling at the Olympics are not among the charges.

It also recommends the Sports Act of 2013 to be fully implemented to realise the full potential of sports federations and parastatals, creation of the office of a Sports Ombudusman as well as establishing partnership with a Japanese city with Team Kenya to launch early preparations for Tokyo 2020.

Another report by the Parliamentary Select Committee for Labour and Social Services chaired by Matuga Member of Parliament, is yet to release its report to the same scandal having summoned Nock and ministry bureaucrats led by Wario.

In the meantime, a team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has continued investigations into the matter with a view to bringing to justice people who are responsible for any wrongdoing.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) 1st vice-chairman Ben Ekumbo is the latest official to be arrested over the Rio fiasco and is currently detained at Muthaiga Police Station waiting to return to Court on Monday.

He was charged with two counts of theft but pleaded not guilty to the charges of stealing Sh1m and kits belonging to Team Kenya.

Despite the challenges faced by the Kenyan athletes from the camp in Eldoret, to travel arrangements and mistreatment in Brazil, the Kenyan team put up a spirited performance to finish 20th in the world by collecting a total of 13 medals, six gold, six silver and a single bronze medal.

-By Joseph Muraya-

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