NAIROBI, Kenya, March 5 – The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) has renewed its partnership with electronics manufacturer LG with the organization injecting Sh7.5 million for this year’s monthly award.

The partnership will see the two parties continue to award the best footballer in the Kenyan Premier League every month, where the winner will walk home with an improvised smart television from LG, with Maureen Kemunto from the company assuring the players of their continued support.

“It has been gradual enhancement, we as LG we have been awarding best players with LG television and we have seen great competition in our local league. The awards has improved the quality of football in the country and we are happy to motivate players. Its our pride to see our footballers prosper,” Kemunto, who is LG Electronics Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager said.

She added, “This year we are giving a smart television more improved than last year, it has a voice recognition application, they can browse with it, we started with Sh4 million, and today its has nearly doubled.”

On his part SJAK president Chris Mbaisi lauded the partnership, vowing that the scribes will continue building the game of football in the country and produce more professionals.

“The award has seen several players like Jesse Were, Meddie Kagere and Kenneth Muguna who have gone ahead to play professional outside the country. We are proud for us reaching five years in the partnership. We have made mileage from them (LG) because we have discovered talent and we want to take this to the next level,” Mbaisi underscored.

“The panel has done a good job. I thank LG for sticking with us, we have inspired players some of them have gone ahead to play international,” Mbaisi added.

In addition, LG has set aside Sh500,000 to support three corporate social responsibility activities (CSR) undertaken by SJAK in three different counties to improve youth football skills.

Since the inception of the awards initiative, 34 players have been recognised for their impressive forms in different months among them former Gor Mahia’s striker Meddie Kagere who new plays for Tanzanian giants Simba SC and Rwandan striker Jaques Tuyisenge who plays for Kenyan champion Gor.

Others are Gor’s Midfielder Kenneth Muguna, former Nzoia Sugar’s Elvis Rupia who joined Zambian side Power Dynamos last year, Peter Thiongo who recently got a call up to the Under 23 Harambee Stars team, Jesse Were who turns up for Zambian giants Zesco United, Sofapaka striker Stephen Waruru among others.

The post LG, SJAK ink Sh7.5m to 2019 football awards appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 6 – Harambee Stars defender David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng says he is looking to sign a short-term contract with a Kenyan Premier League club as he looks to rake in fitness in a race to compete for a place in Kenya’s team to June’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Ochieng left Swedish side IF Brommapokarjana after their relegation to the second tier and has been looking for a new employer but before then wants to maintain his fitness.

“There are a few clubs that have shown interest but I am yet to make up my mind. I just want to sign a short-term contract because I have plans to go back to Europe during the summer so before then, I want to keep my fitness and competitive levels up,” the defender told Capital Sport.

Ochieng who has formerly played for Nairobi Stima, Tusker FC and AFC Leopards locally had received several offers outside the country after leaving Bromma, but he said none appealed to him and he has chosen to be patient as he looks for more concrete ones at the end of this season.

The transfer window for all local leagues opens on March 11 and the defender who broke into the national team during the 2013 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in Uganda where he played a starring role as Kenya finished second.

“It has been a tough period over the last season but I am determined to work hard and get back to the top. Sometimes in a career there are setbacks and this is one I am focused to getting behind my back,” he further stated.

Sources close to Capital Sport intimate that a few Zambian clubs and some in Eastern Europe were interested in the services of the defender.

Ochieng made his first move out of the country to join Saudi Arabian club Al Taawon FC where he played for two and a half seasons before moving to the United States to play for the New York Cosmos.

He played there for a further two seasons before joining Bromma at the beginning of 2018.

The post Stars defender Cheche looks to join KPL side appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 6 – This year’s Beyond Zero marathon will feature visually impaired competitors in the race that has attracted over 20,000 participants ahead of the event to run on Sunday in Nairobi.

Athletics Kenya boss Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, event organizer IMG Kenya CEO Peter Gacheru and Police Commissioner Joshua Omutata today unveiled an elaborate plan for the event.

The elite start has also been incorporated in accordance with the international standards for 21km and 10 km road races.

The Paralympic race will be flagged off at 6:30 am followed by the 21km half marathon at 7am. The 10km road race and corporate run will be flagged off at 8:30 am followed by the 3km the family fun race.

“In a bid to create maternal health awareness, we have incorporated a 2 km pregnant walk, we have also adopted the same route marking for the 21km and 10km road race”, said Gacheru –the event organiser.

All the races will be flagged outside Nyayo Stadium on Uhuru Highway there after the participants will head towards CBD on Uhuru Highway all the way up to the Museum overpass before making their way back to Nyayo Stadium through Kenyatta Avenue.

Speaking during media briefing event, the AK president Rt. Gen Jack Tuwei confirmed that with the finalized route and other plans in place, they were ready to host the half marathon as scheduled.

“We are pleased to report that the all plans have been put in place to ensure that the 2019 Beyond Zero Half Marathon is a safe and great experience for all participants. We have finalized important details like the route, price money and race categories as well as security during the event,” Tuwei announced.

“We have also expanded our race categories to include people with intellectual disability and the visually impaired to demonstrate AKs commitment to inculcating a culture of inclusion,” the AK chief added.

Other categories are Wheelchair Half Marathon and the 21km Tricycle Half Marathon, all amateur categories. Also included is the 5km Family Fun Run.

The Paralympics team will be using the Beyond Zero Half Marathon as a pre-qualifier for the 2020 Paralympics Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

For the elite categories, winners will be taking home Sh250,000 for half marathon and Sh100,000 for 10km.

The post Over 20,000 to run Beyond Zero Marathon appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 6- MacDonald Mariga and Victor Wanyama’s younger sister Mercy has made history by becoming the first ever Kenyan player to sign for a professional team in Spain, joining top basketball side side Adba Aviles.

The former Equity Hawks and Storms center was officially introduced to the team on Wednesday having started training with them on Monday.

According to Spanish portal elcomercio.es, Wanyama joined Adba under the recommendation of the Duran Liga Ensino head coach where she had been on trial from last November. Having not been considered by the club, they recommended her to Adba.

“I wanted to play in Spain. My brother McDonald spoke very well of Asturias and I am very excited about this opportunity. I want to try European basketball and I hope to give my best,” Mercy is quoted as saying by elcomercio.es

She adds; “Right now I only think about the six remaining matches, but I would like to do things well and stay here longer. I am aware of what the club is playing and that on Saturday we have a final against Arxil, but I get very well physically, I have not stopped training and I hope to help as many as possible to my teammates on the court.”

Wanyama travelled to Spain at the beginning of November to try out with Duran Liga having played for Storms for a short period of time.

The Lang’ata High School alumni helped Equity Hawks to back to back league titles and was also named best player at the play-offs.

“We needed people inside and she is a 1.85 player, very athletic and can help us a lot,” said Sporting Director Amalio Álvarez.

Coach Juanjo Garcia added; “The team needed a breath of fresh air, renewed illusions and the arrival of Mercy shows that the club has made a great effort and will certainly be a motivation for the other players.”

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 7 – Three-time world half-marathon champion and two-time world cross-country champion Geoffrey Kamworor takes a trip back in time to offer some words of wisdom to his younger self.

Geoffrey,

Your life at the moment seems so carefree. Your days are filled by playing football, running around with friends, swimming in the river and playing hide and seek. You also help your parents on the family farm; growing maize and potatoes and looking after the cattle and sheep.

You may not realise it yet, but your upbringing will form the foundation for your future success.

I know running is already in your blood. Each day you run 8km to and from school back to your farm family. Those fun races with friends in which you pretend to be either Haile Gebrselassie or Eliud Kipchoge will not be wasted. It will act as a good motivation.

That passion for athletics already extends to watching the sport. You enjoy nothing more than sitting in the sun for hours watching track and field competitions. You clearly love everything about the sport; the excitement, the drama and the sheer freedom it can bring.

Well, take on board as much information as you can as this will build your knowledge base and form an important part of your athletics intelligence.

You are also a good student; hard-working and diligent with a passion for English and biology. I like the fact you work as class secretary for some lessons, taking down notes for the rest of the class. Those leadership qualities will serve you well.

Continue to maintain those high standards. I know you already have aspirations to become a lawyer, and although your passion for running will derail your ambitions for a career in law, your work ethic will bear fruit, particularly during those tough training periods in the Kenyan highlands.

Oh, and your older sisters Beatrice and Stella who you love so dearly and who act as such positive role models. Well, one day they will become so proud of your accomplishments and this will fill you with joy.

Even at your young age, I know you believe that one day you will go on to be special at something. Your instincts are correct, Geoffrey, because one day you will become a multiple world champion on the road and cross country. You will become a winner of the New York City Marathon. You will become a star.

The post Advice to my younger self: Kamworor appeared first on Capital Sports.

ITEN, Kenya, Mar 7 – Kenya hosts the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in just over a year, hoping to showcase its future stars and the potential the country has to stage international athletics competitions.

Athletes are training hard, but preparations for the event have stalled amid constructions delays and the government’s failure to deliver promised upgrades to sports facilities including new stadiums.

“Our athletes have suffered a lot,” said Elias Kiptum Mahindi, a two-time winner of the Linz marathon in Austria, who has trained in the high-altitude town of Iten, the cradle of Kenyan champions, for the past decade.

Iten, 2,400 metres (7,874 feet) above sea level, has been the training site for Olympic medal winners including David Rudisha, the former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, and current women’s marathon record holder Mary Keitany.

“The athletes really like the serenity Iten provides,” Mahindi said. “The climate and the conditions here are very good.”

But ambitious plans to improve facilities have resulted in running tracks being closed for months and no sign of them reopening.

“We are urging the national government and those responsible to help us,” Mahindi said.

When Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was first elected in 2013, he listed nine stadiums to be built or refurbished.

They included the famous Kamariny stadium in Iten, and the two big stadiums in Eldoret and Kapsabet, both named after Kenya’s legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino.

Six years later, none of the stadiums are ready.

– Nowhere to run-

In Iten, the Kamariny public training ground — a track that has launched the careers of multiple champions and driven Kenya’s dominance in middle and long distance running for over half a century — is closed.

Athletes are forced to travel to running tracks in Eldoret, some 35 kilometres (21 miles) away, or in the neighbouring town of Tambach, 11 kilometres away.

Colm O’Connell, who left Ireland for Kenya’s Rift Valley over 40 years ago and has coached over 20 Olympic and World champions, has been forced to hire a bus every day to take his junior athletes for training to Tambach.

“It has become very expensive,” said O’Connell, noting that crowding is also a problem as runners from miles around converge on the limited facilities at Tambach.

“Even when you reach there you’re not assured of getting the space to train,” he said.

In Eldoret, the athletes have to join a waiting list for training at the small university track each morning and evening.

As the clock ticks down to next year’s championships, athletes point out that delayed government plans to upgrade facilities risk damaging a sport that brings intense national pride to the country.

“The tracks were supposed to be ready by now — so that at least we can use them to train and prepare all the teams,” said athletics coach Kenneth Kibet. “It is a big problem for the whole country.”

– Fund-raising for own track –

Among the projects is an expensive all-weather tartan running track at the iconic Kamariny stadium in Iten.

There is little sign of progress: the stadium is closed and construction is stalled.

Kibet said athletes would have prefered that the existing dirt track have been simply upgraded, so at least they would have somewhere to train.

“We can’t come here,” Kibet said. “We would have prefered that this track be left as it is.”

Some fear that Kenya has not learned its lessons from the past.

Kenya lost the hosting rights for the football African Nations Championships (CHAN) in 2018. The overall governing body, the Confederation of African Football, ruled the country was not in a position to host the event since the stadiums were not ready in time.

The government insists, however, that it is doing what it can. Former sports minister Rashid Achesa toured the Eldoret and Kamariny stadiums in Iten in January and called on the contractors to speed up their work.

He said government money allocated for the stadium constructions had been diverted to other priorities and the government was seeking new funding sources.

Frustrated athletes have taken matters into their own hands and have launched a fund-raising campaign to build a basic track nearer to Iten.

“Athletes have come together,” Kibet said. “We don’t need complex rooms, just the field to be upgraded.”

The post Kenya athletes stumble over stadium repairs appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 7 – World Record holder and two-time Olympic champion in the men 800m, David Rudisha is mourning the death of his father, Daniel Matasi Rudisha, who passed on Wednesday night at 73 years.

Daniel Matasi Rudisha, competed for Kenya in the 1968 Olympics where he was part of the Kenyan quartet that won silver in the 4X400m relay final.

It is with deep sorrow and profound grief to announce the death of my father who passed on in nakuru after a short illness. He mentored me personally and many others. The gap left by him shall be felt and hard to fill. RIP dad. pic.twitter.com/WEGEDMS7BJ

— David Rudisha (@rudishadavid) March 7, 2019

His son Rudisha, who is also a two-time world champion had taken to his official twitter account asking Kenyans to pray for his fathrer who has been ailing for some time.

“Me and my ailing father,,,, wish him quick recovery. Long live my dad,” Rudisha posted on Tuesday March 5, 2019.

Me and my ailing father,,,, wish him quick recovery. Long live my dad. pic.twitter.com/wR8qeWlbzR

— David Rudisha (@rudishadavid) March 5, 2019

According to SportPesa News who spoke to his son Rudisha, his father succumbed to a heart attack at 11pm local time (+3GMT) having spent his last few days in hospital. He has been suffering from diabetes for a long time.

“Our beloved father sadly left us last night. He had recovered and was on his way to fine health having been taken off the Intensive Care Unit,” Rudisha, who holds the 1:40.91 world record in 800m told SportPesa News.

“He was talking well and joking as usual while undergoing his dialysis treatment but at around 11pm, he suffered a sudden heart attack and efforts to resuscitate him did not bear any fruit,” the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics gold winner said on Thursday morning,” he added.

Daniel, born in Kilgoris, Rift Valley Province, won the 1968 silver medal with his teammates Munyoro Nyamau, Naftali Bon and Charles Asati in 2:59.6. At the Mexico Summer Games, he competed in the 400m finishing sixth in his heat.

As a coach, he has trained many top class Kenyan athletes, including Billy Konchellah, who won the 800 metres at the World Athletics Championships in 1987.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers of comfort to the family and friends of Mzee Daniel Rudisha. Mzee Rudisha was a Kenyan athletics hero, a pioneer Olympian, coach and teacher who mentored many in the sport. To @rudishadavid and your entire family, my prayers are with you.

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) March 7, 2019

A big thank you to everyone who has remembered us during this hard and trying times. Thank you so much for standing with us. Your messages and prayers are of great comfort to us. pic.twitter.com/soiC6toHs8

— David Rudisha (@rudishadavid) March 7, 2019

-By SportPesa News

The post David Rudisha’s father dies at 73 appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 7 – Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) on Thursday announced a Sh40 million sponsorship towards the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship; a move that sees the company secure rights to be the official alcoholic beverages partner for the tournament that takes place March 14-17 at the Karen Country Club.

KBL added that it has secured a long-term partnership with the Kenya Open Golf Limited, the event organizers of the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, for an additional three years.

KBL Managing Director, Jane Karuku noted that the decision is founded on the fact that the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship remains a long-term strategic partner for the organization.

“The Kenya Open is a perfect fit for Johnnie Walker, as it offers us a perfect platform to connect with our premium consumers. This sponsorship goes to show our commitment as a company in supporting sports in the country,” Karuku said.

Through its Johnnie Walker product range, KBL will provide a memorable experience to both the fans and players, “Everyone at this year’s Kenya Open should expect world class entertainment and a great experience, courtesy of the Johnnie Walker brand.” Added Mrs. Karuku.

Karuku lauded the tournament’s organisers, for achieving European Tour Status.

“I would like to congratulate the Kenya Open Golf Limited on the tournament’s promotion to the main European Tour, your efforts to consistently achieve and maintain world-class standards have made the Kenya Open Golf what it is, more than 50 years later,” she added.

Speaking at the same event, Kenya Open Golf Limited Finance Director, Joe Wangai expressed delight at having KBL on board for the Tournament.

“This year we are happy to once again welcome the Kenya Breweries Limited on board, through the Johnnie Walker brand, as the official alcoholic beverage partner. It is through such partners that we can host a successful Kenya Open,” He said.

“We have taken deliberate steps to ensure that the fans have a great time at the tournament, the access to the golf course will be through the village area and with partners like KBL on board, we are sure to have a great experience for all,” he added.

Wangai concluded by urging fans to come out in large numbers to enjoy four days of great golf.

“I want to urge all Kenyans to turn up in large numbers to support our local golfers and enjoy four days of great golf.”

The post KBL splash Sh40m sponsorship for 2019 Magical Kenya Open appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 7 – On October 20, 2018, three-time Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield champions Sofapaka were less than seven minutes away from picking their fourth crown leading Kariobangi Sharks 2-1 in the final, but a series of defensive bloopers saw Sharks score two late goals to win.

Batoto ba Mungu should have even forced the game to extra time after winning a late penalty 3-2 down, but Kevin Kimani skied the effort to hand the William Muluya coached side their first ever major title.

Though the memory is distant, the hurt still weighs on in the heart of head coach John Baraza who has vowed to ensure they right the wrongs this time round and go all the way to lift the crown.

“For sure it was a painful way to lose and we had worked so hard to get there. That is in the past and we have learnt from our mistakes. This time, we want to ensure we do better because this is a golden opportunity for us to pay continental football,” said Baraza who won all three titles with the club as a player.

Sofapaka start their campaign this season away to Bungoma Super Stars on March 16 and Baraza expects a tough game despite facing a lower division side.

“Cup tournaments are always very tricky. You can never underrate an opponent. We have a very big squad of good players and this is a chance for us to show our depth and give other players a chance. I have confidence that we can move step by step and get to the final,” Baraza opined.

Sofapaka is one of only eight Kenyan Premier League teams who have confirmed participation in the tournament Only 32 teams have registered this year as opposed to the 60 that took part in last year’s cup.

The route to the final is shorter this time, with the winner of the round of 32 heading to the round of 16, quarters, semis and final, meaning a team only plays five games all the way to the final.

Meanwhile, Baraza will be looking on to finish the first leg of the Kenyan Premier League with a minimum of 30 points as the team heads out to Chemelil Sugar for their round 17 match on Saturday in Awasi.

Batoto ba Mungu are fourth in the standings with 27 points and Baraza will be looking for all three in the sugar belt to move into the magic 30.

“Chemelil is a very tough team especially playing at their backyard and this is not an easy game for us. Our focus is on those three points and we will fight for them. We won last week against KCB and that has give us a bit of motivation so hopefully we can keep that run,” the youthful tactician opined.

The team will be without mercurial defender Mousa Omar who has been a cog at the backline with the Burundian suspended after accumulating five yellow cards.

Also out of the trip to Awasi is midfielder Mike Oduor who picked up a knock on his knee during a midweek friendly against third tier side Naivas while midfielder Dennis Odhiambo is yet to hit the fitness levels required.

However, defender George Maelo returns after missing last weekend’s game against KCB.

The post Baraza hopes to amend 2018 Shield errors appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 7 – Former Chemelil Sugar, KCB and Thika United tactician Juma Abdallah dreams of a return to top flight football and is confident that his current employers, FC Talanta have what it takes to take him back to the Kenyan Premier League.

Talanta are placed fourth in the National Super League standings with 35 points, three behind third placed Wazito and six behind leaders Ushuru FC.

“I really believe and I am confident that we will earn promotion. I am upbeat about this and from the beginning I have told my boys that our first match next season will be up against a Premier League team. We believe that and we are working very hard to achieve that,” Juma noted.

He added; “If you look at how we are playing and the belief the players have, I am convinced that we can actually dream of it and achieve it.”

Last Monday’s massive 3-1 win over Wazito was testament enough that the side can vie for one of the three available promotion slots, two of them being automatic.

He now hopes that his side can keep the same form and improve over their next few games.

“I have a very good team of young and ambitious players, but we have only one problem; striking. If we can get one or two very good strikers then I believe we will compete to be even the top. I have so far found one from Modern Coast and I am looking for another to have varied options,” Juma noted.

“We have a good defense line, a good midfield but upfront is where the real challenge is. We need to click in that end and I believe we will be a force to reckon in this league,” Abdallah further stated.

Talanta will face Shabana FC in their next assignment at the Camp Toyoyo Ground on Friday, a tie that Juma says will be tough.

“Shabana is a very tough team and they are also seeking to get promotion. We will make a few changes to the team to give some of the players playing time and also one of the new players,” the tactician stated.

Meanwhile, leaders Ushuru FC will take on eighth placed Kenya Police in the early kick off, the taxmen looking to keep their three-point lead at the top intact.

Two times in a row, Ushuru have finished third in the standings to compete in the play-off, failing in both occasions. However, this time, head coach Ken Kenyatta says he does not want to take the play-off lottery, but get automatic promotion.

“This is a thing we want to avoid and from when the season started, our target has always been to get automatic promotion. I am glad that we have started the season well and I hope we can maintain it to the end. We have a good team and we can get that automatic slot,” Kenyatta stated.

“But we are playing in a very tough and competitive league so we need to take each game at a time, a step a day,” he added.

Ushuru carry with them an enviable run of three wins on the trot and Kenyatta says their confidence has been hugely boosted by the run including Monday’s 3-0 victory against Kangemi All Stars.

Elsewhere, Wazito FC who have lost back to back matches and sacked their coach Mohammed Mchulla will look for redemption when they travel away to Nakuru to face St. Joseph.

Wazito are tied on points with second placed Nairobi Stima but have an inferior goal difference. Stima will be at home in Naivasha taking on Eldoret Youth.

Round 19 Fixtures

Friday

Ushuru vs Kenya Police (Camp Toyoyo, 11 am)

Nairobi City Stars vs Kibera Black Stars (Camp Toyoyo, 2 pm)

FC Talanta vs Shabana (Camp Toyoyo, 4.15 pm)

St Joseph Youth vs Wazito (Afraha Stadium, 3 pm)

Nairobi Stima vs Eldoret Youth (Karuturi Grounds, 3 pm)

Modern Coast Rangers vs Fortune Sacco (Serani Sports Ground, 3 pm)

Coast Stima vs Green Commandos (Mbaraki Sports Club, 3 pm)

Kisumu All Stars vs Thika United (Moi Stadium Kisumu, 3 pm)

Saturday

Bidco United vs Administration Police (Thika Stadium, 3 pm)

Kangemi All Stars vs Migori Youth (Camp Toyoyo, 3 pm)

The post Juma dreams of Talanta’s KPL promotion appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 7 – The Special Olympics Kenya team has received Sh5 million sponsorship boost from Safaricom ahead of the Special Olympics World Games slated for March 14–21 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Kenya is part of the 128 countries globally that have confirmed participation in the event.

The team from Kenya will leave the country on Friday for the competitions that will see 11 teams play in various sports including football, beach volleyball, biking, swimming, open water swimming and athletics.

The team, which consists of 72 incredibly determined players, 20 couches, 5 Chaperons, HOD and assistant HOD, will be among the biggest delegation from Africa at the championships.

The sponsorship is the highest for the team and entails Kes 4 million in cash and Kes 1 million in kind.

“We are proud to be associated with this course that transform our communities and customers. We celebrate diversity and inclusivity in all aspects. To us inclusivity goes beyond just hiring people with disabilities, it is about giving them the same opportunities for career growth,” Sylvia Mulinge, Chief Customer Officer, Safaricom said.

“We have consistently supported deaf marathon in this country giving deaf athletes an opportunity to grow and earn from their passions and careers.”

Nicholas Korir Kipchumba- gold medalist in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games –Austria and Onesmus Munyao Mutinda- gold medalist in the 2015 Los Angeles Special Olympics games will be the headlining acts for Kenya in this year’s games.

Other notable names that are set to grace the event include; Irene Nzilani – Team Gold Medal 2015, Female football Special Olympics World Summer Games Los Angeles and Laureen Dessy Aluoch Ochieng’- Team Bronze Medal Los Angeles Special Olympic.

“Preparations are complete, and we are ready to leave the country tomorrow. We are confident in the team we have selected, and we are optimistic that we will bring medals home,” Susan Masila, Special Olympics Kenya’s National Director said.

“Our endeavor is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competitions in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities giving them opportunities to participate in sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families. We are grateful to Safaricom for this valuable support.”

Special Olympics is a multi-sport event for athletes with intellectual disabilities in the tradition of the Special Olympics movement.

This will be the first time that the Special Olympics will be held in the Middle East / North Africa Region. Due to the region’s climate, the games will be held during the local late winter/early spring.

The post Kenya Special Olympics team receives Sh5mn sponsorship appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 8 – Asked what makes the 12 man Magical Kenya Open home troops tick, Mumias long-hitter Dismas Indiza said: “It’s their willingness to die for the team. They are fully aware that it’s our duty as a group to make the country proud.”

Also playing competitive golf in the recently concluded Road To Kenya Open Safari Tour series which offered local pros some attractive prize money and a priceless feel of various courses including the Karen Country Club Par 71 facility which will host the four-day golfing extravaganza from March 14-17.

The greatest success of the Safari Tour is the attainment of the objective for which the Tour was set up for; which is to give our local pros an opportunity to practice and play a lot more golf to the standards of the European Tour. This has given them an opportunity to practice, learn and be resilient.

Greg Snow will alongside his Mumias counterpart shoulder Kenya’s hopes of keeping the event’s maroon jacket on home soil.

No Kenyan has won the Kenya Open since inception in 1967 and Snow thinks the regular local tournaments they have played like the recently concluded Safari Tour series will come in handy.

“It’s been a great five months and like I said I have put in a lot of hard work. I believe Kenyans are better prepared than ever before and this is a clear indication that we could spring some surprises in as far as the tournament cut is concerned. I have had a good Safari Tour and the plan will be to go into the Kenya Open in similar spirit and fashion.”

The first nine Kenyan players, who qualified to play at this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, were named following the conclusion of the 2018/2019 Safari Tour Golf series today at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club. Two players tied for eighth spot – the Safari Tour Golf Series qualifying cut-off for the Kenya Open – pushing the number of players qualifying to nine.

Two more Kenyans qualified in the pre-qualifier at Karen.

They were Justus Madoya of the Great Rift Valley and Royal’s Eric Ooko who beat Jacob Okello in a three home playoff at Karen.

Okello, Kenya’s most decorated golfer who lost the memorable Kenya Open playoff in 1998, was later awarded a Kenya team by KOGL invitation.

Snow leads the team of 12 professional player having accrued a total of 113.5 points across the six Safari Tour golf series. Greg has been dominant, taking maximum points in four of the six Safari Tour events, to take top spot on the Road to Kenya Open ranking. He has featured at the Kenya Open 11 times with his best finish coming in 2014 when he finished 10th.

-Indiza-

The second qualifier is Indiza who amassed 111 points after a consistent performance across the Safari Tour to finish second. Indiza has featured at the Kenya Open 19 times; with his best finish being tenth in the 2008 edition.

-Charania-

Windsor’s Rizwan Charania booked third spot on the Road to Kenya Open ranking having amassed a total of 79 points; with his win of the Windsor leg of the tour cementing third spot. He has played at the Kenya Open 14 times; his best finish coming in 2017.

-Wakhu-

David Wakhu, who won the Nyali Golf and Country Club leg of the Sadfari Tour Golf Series, finished fourth on the Road to the Kenya Open ranking, with a total of 72 points; while the Professional Golfers of Kenya Captain, John Wangai, finished fifth with 68.5 points. He has featured at the Kenya Open on six occasions.

-Ngige-

Thika Golf Club’s, Simon Ngige, finished sixth with 66.5 points and shall now take part at his 13th Kenya Open tournament; while Golf Park’s Tony Omuli will be taking part at his seventh Kenya Open event having finished in seventh place on the Road to Kenya Open ranking with 53.5 points.

-Simwa-

Vet Lab Sports Club’s Nelson Simwa and Windsor’s David Opati tied for eighth with 51 points apiece to complete the list of nine Kenyan players at this year’s tournament. The Safari Tour Golf Series, which was launched in August last year, formed the qualification tournament for Kenyan players taking part this year’s Kenya Open.

The nine pros join six amateur players who have already qualified to play at this year’s Magical Kenya Open Championship; these are Daniel Nduva, Samuel Njoroge, Mike Kisia, Edwin Mudanyi, Bradley Mogire and Mutahi Kibugu.

About Greg Snow

Snow started playing golf at the age of 6 in Kiambu inspired by his father John Snow and his brother Paul who played his golf in the UK.

He became a member at Muthaiga at the age of 10 years and played there as a junior till the age of 16. From 2008 to 2012 Snow landed a golf scholarship at the Odessa Golf College and played very competitively in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia prior to turning pro in Kenya 2013.

 Kenyan PROs:

1. Greg Snow – Muthaiga Golf Club
2. Dismas Indiza – Mumias Sugar Golf Club
3. David Opati – Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club
4. David Wakhu – The Golf Park
5. Simon Ngige – Thika Golf Club
6. C.J. Wangai – Sigona Golf Club
7. Tony Omuli – The Golf Park
8. Riz Charania – Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club
9. Nelson Simwa – Vet Lab Sports Club
10. Justus Madoya – Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort
11. Erick Ooko – Royal Nairobi Golf Club
12. Jacob Okello – The Golf Park

Regional PROs:

1. Philip Kasozi – Uganda Golf Club

Kenyan Elite Amateurs:

1. Mike Kisia – Vet Lab Sports Club
2. Edwin Mudanyi – Vet Lab Sports Club
3. Samuel Njoroge – Kenya Railways Golf CLub
4. Mutahi Kibugu – Muthaiga Golf Club
5. Bradley Mogire – Emirates Golf Club, Dubai
6. Daniel Nduva – Nyali Golf and Country Club

The post A look at Kenya’s pros ahead of Magical Open appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 8 – The pro winner of the 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship presented by Absa will walk away with Sh20.5m (Euros 183,330), the tournament’s prize fund breakdown released on Friday confirms.

The prize money, the biggest payout to the winning pro since the tournament’s inception in 1967, is more than double what Lorenzo Gagli, winner of the 2018 Kenya Open Golf Championship, took home (Euros 80,000); and is in line with the tournament’s prize kitty increase following its admission to the European Tour.

This year’s tournament’s total prize kitty was more than doubled from Euros 500,000 to Euros 1.1 million; signifying the enhanced stature of the tournament.

Runner-up pro golfer at the tournament will walk away with Sh13.6m (Euros 122,220) while a third-place finish for a pro will earn them Sh7.7m (Euros 68,860).

A pro finishing in the top ten at the tournament is guaranteed of walking away with at least Euros 22,000 (KShs 2.5 million) while the least prize fund payout to a pro is, this year, set at Euros 2,010 (equivalent to KShs 224,000) for the pro finishing in 70^th place.

Commenting on the prize fund breakdown, Kenya Open Golf Limited’s Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, said the increase will be a great incentive for players to up their game at the tournament

“The increase in prize money will enhance competition on the course among players, with the main objective for all being first to make the cut, then proceed to try and finish as high up as possible on the leaderboard. The prize fund breakdown will be particularly a great incentive for our local pro players who have been training hard through the Safari Tour Golf Series,” he said.

Only two Kenyan pros, Windsor’s Riz Charania (who finished T69) and Sigona’s Mohit Mediratta (who finished in 71^st) made the cut at last year’s Kenya Open Golf Championship taking home Euros 1,075 and Euros 1,000 respectively.

Meanwhile, the European Tour has revised its Race to Dubai points system to separate the identity of the Race to Dubai from prize money allowing it to create a more equitable performance-based Race to Dubai whilst protecting its integrity from future shifts in prize money and schedule.

Announcing the change, the European Tour has said:

“There is a very significant discrepancy between the number of Race to Dubai points awarded for the high prize fund events versus the lower prize fund events. This discrepancy has a significant impact on those who finish towards the top of the Race to Dubai, but also on determining who keeps their Tour card for the following year.”

To correct the existing discrepancy, the European Tour has assessed a series of methodologies to determine the future of the ranking system and has determined a banding system as most appropriate with the smaller events being raised to 2000 points and the largest events capped at 10000 points.

This new system is as follows:

The 2019 Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship falls into band one, meaning the pro winner of the tournament, who is a European Tour member, will earn 2,000 points towards their Road to Dubai ranking.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 8 – Barclays Bank of Kenya, part of the Absa Group, will sponsor six Kenyan professional players and the leading amateur, Samuel Njoroge, at the Magical Kenya Open championship at the Karen Country Club between March 14th and 17th.

The six players are C.J. Wangai (Professional Golfers of Kenya team captain), Tony Omuli, David Opati, Ooko Erick Obura, Jastas Madoya and Rizwan Charania, and are among the 12 Kenyan pros who qualified to play at the Magical Kenya Open this year.

As part of this sponsorship, the bank has offered each of the six Pros Sh100, 000. Additionally, any of the six players who make the cut on Friday will get a Sh50, 000 bonus with a further Sh50, 000 awarded if they finish overall top 20.

Speaking of the sponsorship, Barclays Bank Kenya Managing Director Jeremy Awori challenged the six players to fly the Kenyan flag high during the four-day tournament that will be broadcast live across the world.

“This year will provide one of the greatest challenges many of our Kenyan pros have faced in recent years as each of them will be debuting on the European Tour, we commend them for making it this far and wish them luck in the week ahead,” said Awori adding that,

“It is our hope that the rich history of our tournament can serve to inspire and push each of them to do their best on the course.”

In addition to the elevation of the tournament to the main European Tour, the Kenya Open Golf Limited has already announced a Euros 1.1 million (about KES 126 million) prize pot for the 2019 tournament, double the total money from last year which marked the championship’s 50th anniversary. The event is expected to further boost the country’s sports tourism offering as a result.

This year, Kenya’s hopes are pinned on a set of 12 professional players who booked their places via the Kenya Open Golf Limited’s Safari Tour led by Muthaiga Golf Club’s Greg Snow.

Apart from the six above, the other Kenyan pros include Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, Simon Ngige, and Nelson Simwa. Meanwhile, the amateurs playing at Kenya Open this year include Daniel Nduva, Samuel Njoroge, Edwin Mudanyi, Mike Kisia, Bradley Mogire and Mutahi Kibugu.

Barclays has been synonymous with the Kenya Open for the last 8 years as the main sponsor and this year, as the presenting sponsor.  The bank, through Pan-African financial institution Absa Group, has announced an enhanced sponsorship of KES220 million to KOGL for the next two years in tandem with the increased status of the tournament.

“For us at Barclays, the elevation of the Kenya Open to the main European tour could not have come at a better time than this, when we are just about to adopt the Absa brand which is a proudly African, bold and transformative banking group, that is passionate to work with all stakeholders to realize Africa’s potential, demonstrating its transformative and futuristic abilities,” Ndung’u said.

“We are thus extremely proud to be associated with this achievement, given the opportunity it affords us and our partners to expose our Kenya golfers to the very best that the world has to offer.”

To date, no Kenyan has ever won the tournament. The closest the country has come to a win was in 1998 when Jacob Okello lost to Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez in a play off at the Muthaiga Golf Club. In 2014, Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow were the best-placed local players, finishing 5th and 6th overall, respectively.

Absa’s association with sports sponsorship is long-standing. Absa has been the official sponsor of one of the continent’s biggest football tournament – the Absa Premiership League since 2007, which has seen the growth and development of local and foreign soccer players and coaches within the league.

Absa also currently sponsors the Absa Cape Epic, an exhilarating eight-day off-road mountain bike stage race that takes place annually in South Africa’s Western Cape Province.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 9 – Safaricom has announced its support for the Beyond Zero Marathon as Official Communications Partner.

The Telco will provide a fully kitted media centre and communication support towards the 4th edition of the event set for Sunday 10th March 2019 at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

The Marathon is an initiative of First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and aims at curbing maternal deaths and child mortality, which is in line with Safaricom Foundation’s efforts to increase access to and uptake of quality maternal and child health services.

“Our mission is to transform lives through impactful investments and partnerships that improve our communities. Access to quality maternal health is still a challenge in many parts of the country which is why Safaricom is keen to regularly collaborate with other entities to make maternal health care accessible to all.  We are proud to be part of this cause as it is aligned to our own maternal health initiatives,” said Stephen Chege, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Safaricom.

Themed Let’s Run for Each Other, the Half Marathon targets 50,000 participants form across the country and will feature 21km, 10km, 5km, a special 2km race for pregnant women as well as Paralympic race for T11, T12 and T13. First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, Mrs. Rachel Ruto and Mama Ida Odinga are among those registered to take part in the event.

The half marathon is one of the key resource mobilization events for Beyond Zero, a flagship program aimed at creating awareness and drawing the attention of stakeholders to the challenges of maternal and infant health in Kenya.

The post Safaricom to provide Media Centre and Communication Support to Beyond Zero Marathon appeared first on Capital Sports.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Mar 9 – Trophy-holders Esperance of Tunisia became the first qualifiers for the CAF Champions League quarter-finals after a routine 2-0 home win over Horoya of Guinea in Group B Friday.

Malian Hamed Assoko conceded an own-goal midway through the first half to put the three-time African champions ahead at the Stade Olympique in the Tunis suburb of Rades.

Esperance needed a second goal to be sure of success and it arrived seven minutes from time through Cameroonian midfield enforcer Franck Kom.

Victory for the Tunisian outfit maintained the last unbeaten record in the competition this season and guaranteed they will top the final standings.

The disappointment of Horoya was diluted by news from the other end of the continent that Orlando Pirates of South Africa were surprisingly held 2-2 at home by FC Platinum of Zimbabwe.

Pirates’ failure to win in Soweto means they must take maximum points from an away fixture against Horoya in Conakry next Saturday to overtake the Guineans and finish second.

The top two finishers after six rounds in the four groups advance to the quarter-finals stage of the Champions League, the elite African club competition.

Esperance have 11 points after five rounds, Horoya seven, Pirates six and Platinum just two from their first group-phase appearance.

Horoya centre-back Assoko has scored four goals in the Champions League this season, but two have been own-goals with his latest misfortune coming in Tunisia.

Kom, a midfielder more accustomed to preventing goals than scoring them, netted his first of the campaign to ensure Esperance of a third consecutive two-goal home victory.

– Little chance –

Given a bye to the group stage because of fixture congestion, the Tunisian club are hoping to become the first club since Al Ahly of Egypt in 2013 to achieve back-to-back titles.

A Platinum side without a win in six qualifying and group matches were given little chance of dodging defeat away to Pirates, the 1995 African champions.

But after Nelson Tigere missed a penalty, he put the Zimbabwean outfit ahead and Rainsome Pavori doubled the lead before half-time at Orlando Stadium.

Platinum retained the two-goal advantage until nine minutes from time when unmarked Thembinkosi Lorch beat goalkeeper Petros Mhari at his near post with a low drive.

The goal galvanised the Soweto Buccaneers and Zambian Augustine Mulenga slammed a loose ball into the net on 87 minutes to raise hopes of a dramatic victory.

Platinum survived a late onslaught, however, to end a run of three straight losses despite having centre-back defender Kevin Moyo red-carded.

Meanwhile, Group C leaders CS Constantine of Algeria surprisingly fell 1-0 at home to Club Africain of Tunisia and surrendered an eight-match unbeaten record.

Ismaily of Egypt dropped out of contention for a quarter-finals place after being held 1-1 at home by five-time champions TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Constantine (10 points), Mazembe (eight) and Africain (seven) are in the running to make the knockout phase with the odds favouring the Algerian and Congolese clubs.

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Mar 9 – The Canterbury Crusaders latest fullback find Will Jordan scored two tries and Sevu Reece made the most of his lifeline as the Super Rugby champions flattened the Waikato Chiefs 57-28 in Christchurch on Saturday.

All Blacks’ hooker Codie Taylor, in his first outing of the year, also scored twice in the nine-tries-to-four romp.

It kept the reigning champions unbeaten and extended their winning streak to 19 matches while the 2012 and 2013 champion Chiefs remain winless after four rounds.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, the Crusaders did go off the boil in the closing minutes which Taylor said was a concern.

“We slacked off last week against the Reds and so we played a good 65 minutes today which was awesome to see, but we’ve still got a lot to work on in that last 15. It seems to be a habit at the moment,” he said.

Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown said his side made too many errors to be competitive.

“The Crusaders were just too good. Every error we made they punished us,” he said.

Former Waikato player Reece, making his Crusaders debut after having a contract with Irish club Connacht axed due to a court appearance on an assault charge, was instrumental in two quick tries to give the red-and-blacks an early 12-point buffer.

The 21-year-old Jordan then stepped up with his exceptional pace and precise support lines to have a role in three more tries before the break.

The bruising local derby inflicted casualties, with a crunching tackle by Nepo Laulala on fellow All Blacks frontrower Joe Moody forcing Moody from the field inside the first five minutes.

The Crusaders first two tries were the result of Reece outsmarting Damian McKenzie.

He was perfectly placed to field a McKenzie cross-kick and mount a counter-attack which resulted in the first try to Braydon Ennor and he intercepted a McKenzie pass to score the second.

But the Crusaders pack, with Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock, Matt Todd and Owen Franks on All Blacks-enforced rest, along with Moody injured, were under pressure at scrum time.

It resulted in a Chiefs’ try to backrower Taleni Seu to narrow the gap to 12-7 before the Crusaders stepped up a gear with two tries to Jordan and one to hulking hooker Andrew Makalio — to lead 33-7 at half-time.

Prop Michael Alaalatoa rumbled over after the resumption for the Crusaders to extend their lead to 40 points.

The Chiefs used their scrum power to set up their second try, to left wing Etene Nanai-Seturo.

The Crusaders hit back with two tries to Taylor and one to Bryn Hall before the Chiefs finished off with tries to Jack Debreczeni and Mitchell Brown.

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KITUI, Kenya, March 9 – Isiolo’s Young Stars will face Supersolico from Mwingi in the boys Eastern region final of the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom youth tournament.

Young Stars beat Embu’s Triumph Boys 2-0 while Mwingi’s Supersolico overcame Moyale’s Samba Boys beating them 3-2.

In the girls’ category, Makueni’s St. Mary’s Ndovea thrashed Saku Queens from Marsabit three goals to nil while Chuka Starlets from Meru South were 2:1 winners against Karugwa Queens from Meru Central.

“The game was tough but we braced the hot weather to win. We train together as a team and that is our secret to a good game. We are looking forward to a win tomorrow”, said – Ali Nasri, Captain Supersolico FC.

The winners in tomorrow’s finals will each receive a cash reward of KES 200,000 and proceed to the national finals set for June 2019 at Kinoru Stadium, Meru.

“The journey has been tough and long but eventually we are here with a victory. We expect a tough battle tomorrow against Young Stars but we believe it is our season,” said Benard Mudachi, Coach Supersolico FC.

At the grand finale where the winning boys’ and girls’ teams will each walk away with Sh1 million shillings in prize money.

This year, an All-star team will be also selected from the 8 regional finals to attend a training camp in Spain during which they will play against local youth sides.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, March 9 – Immediate-former Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn from Denmark headlines a star-studded foreign pros who will compete at this year’s Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship that gets underway at the Karen Country Club from March 14-17.  

 Here is a look at the profile of the top five golfers that Kenyans will have a rare opportunity of watching them. 

1. Name:          Thomas Bjørn

Nationality:          Denmark

Age:          48 Years.

Accomplishments:    15-time European Tour Champion

4-time European Challenge Tour Champion

2-time Japan Golf Tour Champion

1-time Sunshine Tour Champion

Immediate-former Ryder Cup Captain

The first Dane to qualify for a European Ryder Cup team.

He is the most successful Danish Golfer to date.

Race to Dubai Ranking:    80

Biggest European Tour win:         € 795,338 (2014)

2. Name: Shubhankar Sharma

Nationality:                           India

Age:                                       22 Years.

Accomplishments:             2-time European Challenge Tour Champion

                                                2-time Asian Tour Champion

1-time Sunshine Tour Champion

6-time Professional Golf Tour of India Champion

Current Tours:                                 Asian Tour

                                                European Tour

Race to Dubai Ranking:    54

Biggest European Tour win:         € 400,930 (2018)

3. Name: Haydn Porteous

Nationality:                           South Africa

Age:                                       24 Years.

Accomplishments:             2-time European Tour Champion

                                                2-time Sunshine Tour Champion

1-time European Challenge Tour Champion (2015 Kenya Open Golf Championship)

1- IGT Winter Challenge Houghton Champion

Current Tours:                                 Sunshine Tour

                                                European Tour

Race to Dubai Ranking:    82

Biggest European Tour win:         € 166,660 (2017)

4. Name:            Marcel Siem

Nationality:                          Germany

Age:                                        38 Years.

Accomplishments:             4-time European Tour Champion

Biggest European Tour win:         € 918,944 (2014)

5. Name: Choi Ho-sung

Nationality:                           South Korea

Age:                                       45 Years.

Accomplishments:             2-time Japan Golf Tour Champion

                                                2-time Korean Tour Champion

Current Tours:                                 Japan Golf Tour

The post A look at foreign Pros ahead of Magical Open appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 9 – AFC Leopards picked up their second successive win following their 2-1 victory over Tusker FC in a Kenyan Premier League match hosted at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Saturday to end the first leg of the 2018/19 season on a high.

However, both teams finished with one man less with AFC Leopards being reduced to one man down first in the 37th minute when Isaac Kipyegon was sent off.

A quarter hour to stoppage time, Tusker were also disadvantaged after Boniface Muchiri was shown a red card to see both sides balanced.

Wayi Yeka sent AFC Leopards ahead in the 61st minute before Vincent Oburu doubled the scores in the 72nd minute.

Rwandese Amini Muzerwa pulled one for Tusker in the 81st minute but it was too late as AFC Leopards managed to hold their nerves to collect their second win in a row.

The win lifted AFC Leopards to 14th on the log with 14 points while Tusker dropped to sixth with 25 points.

In other results, Piston Mutamba struck twice while Stephen Waruru scored the other as visitors Sofapaka thrashed Chemelil Sugar 3-0 in Awasi, at the Awendo Green Stadium, Derrick Otanga scored the lone goal as Sony beat Mount Kenya United 1-0.

Posta Rangers and Kariobangi Sharks shared a point after a 0-0 draw same as the Mathare United, Western Stima clash that ended with the same score-line.

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