NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 20 – National Championship Premier Class driver Eric Bengi believes the much-awaited comeback of the fabled Safari Rally to the FIA World Rally Championship(WRC) calendar is a perfect opportunity to reignite local drivers’ talent.
The former KNRC Two Wheel, Division One and Group N Champion also believes racing against the big boys of WRC will trigger the much-needed gusto for locals to attack.
“I know for sure that the WRC drivers will whip us out clean but it will be a learning lesson to come back, reset and reflect on what makes them tick and how differently they do their things. I’m sure we’ll all be eager to see what it is that we can learn to become better motorsport people,”Bengi says,
He adds; “It will make us drive on the limit, so thrills and spills are guaranteed. Give Safari three to four years and you will actually see competition from this country. Last year we went out as a team to Zambia to compete in the ARC event. This year we had big intentions to go do a few East African Rally Championship events but this was distracted by the pandemic situation.”
Bengi will be one of the many drivers from the current crop of Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) speedsters to debut at the iconic WRC Safari which will be held next year.
Eric Bengi checking up on his car. PHOTO/Courtesy
From the current group of KNRC drivers, only reigning national and Safari Champion Baldev Chager, Ian Duncan and Carl ‘Flash” Tundo have graced the WRC Safari event.
Legendary Duncan was the last Kenyan driver to lay his hands on a WRC Safari title when he won the 42nd Trust Bank Safari Rally in 1994.
Duncan, Mike Kirkland, Vic Preston Senior/Junior, Shekhar Mehta, Joginder Singh and Patrick Njiru were among the locals who featured prominently back in the Safari day.
Having run a WRC round 18 years ago, Kenya made the step up to top flight action this year, but the event was pushed to next year due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Safari is a good thing to happen. Let me just say that in Africa, Kenya ranks amongst countries with the best drivers among them Manvir (Baryan) who has won the African Championship three years in a row.,”
“To bring the Safari back to WRC is definitely great, thanks to the dedicated WRC Safari Project team led by CEO Phineas Kimathi” added Bengi, who insists there will be a great deal of knowledge transfer.
“There was a lot of knowledge transfer to the locals in all facets of the sport throughout the years. I believe the WRC drivers will give us a shock therapy which will work to build our driving lines. It’s just like when Tapio (Laukkanen) came to Kenya. He gave us a shock therapy and everyone was playing catch-up. I’m sure the WRC is an opportunity to improve our game locally.”
Eric Bengi poses with his car. PHOTO/Courtesy
The Safari was notorious for being by far the WRC’s toughest round. A Safari win was one of motorsport’s most coveted prizes for manufacturers.
The nature of the rally, organised by the WRC Safari Rally Project, a joint venture between the Kenyan Government Sports Ministry and the Kenya Motor Sports Federation, has evolved to fit the modern-day WRC.
The Safari was first held in 1953 as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and covered Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika (now Tanzania).
Ugandan-born Kenyan Shekhar Mehta holds the record for Safari WRC wins with five victories, including four consecutively. Former world champions Björn Waldegård (four), Juha Kankkunen and Colin McRae (both three) were all acknowledged Safari masters.
The rally will be based in Nairobi with the service park and stages located near Lakes Naivasha and Elmenteita, north-west of the city in the Great Rift Valley.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 22 – Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama says he was lucky to remain on the pitch after a horror tackle from DC United’s Felipe Martins during his side Impact Montreal’s 1-0 win over the capital side in the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando early Wednesday morning.
Felipe gushed in on Wanyama with studs on his shin, escaping with only a yellow card.
“He was nowhere near the ball and it was a dangerous tackle. He is lucky to stay on the pitch and I think I am also lucky to remain on the pitch and now I am okay and will move on from that,” Wanyama said after the match.
The Stars midfielder was named man of the match for Montreal with seven recoveries, three clearances, two tackles and one shot on target.
After losing back to back matches against Toronto and New England Revolution, Wanyama’s Montreal faced a must win tie against DC and they delivered the victory with Saphir Taider scoring the lone goal in the 31st minute.
Votre Joueur Helix du match présenté par @Videotron Your Helix Man of the match presented by Videotron
— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) July 22, 2020
Wanyama was delighted with the victory by his side which gives them a chance of progressing to the round of 16 of the MLS tournament in Orlando.
“We have been working hard in training and it has not been easy for us playing first two games and losing. But, we are a good group, we always want to take positives and learn quickly. I feel we have started gelling well as a team, defending well as a unit and that’s what we needed. Hopefully we can use the momentum and keep going,” Wanyama further stated.
The victory took Montreal to third in the standings with three points and will hope results from other groups go their way so they can sneak into the round of 16 as one of the best third placed teams.
Head coach Thierry Henry says he was happy to get the three points despite being pushed to their backs by DC in the second half.
“It was pretty against Toronto. We bossed them and had much of the ball but we lost. Today, it was not pretty especially in the second half but we won. That’s the most important. Hopefully we can carry on in this tournament but if we don’t we just look at the league. It was important for us to be back,” Henry said after the match.
The MLS is Back Tournament is organized in a bio-bubble in Orlando as sports in the United States looks to slowly come back after stoppages caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 22 – Clubs have formed a five-member transitional team that will be tasked with working on modalities of running the Kenyan Premier League next season as the mandate of the current company, KPL Limited runs out on September 21.
The five-member team will include Ulinzi Stars’ Col Erick Oloo, Kariobangi Sharks’ Robert Maoga, Zoo’s Ken Ochieng, AFC Leopards’ Dan Shikanda and Tusker’s Daniel Aduda.
The five were appointed after a meeting between them and the Football Kenya Federation via video-link on Wednesday morning, where they were also briefed on the new sponsorship from Nigerian betting partner BetKing.
“The committee has been mandated with drafting proposals on how the FKF Premier League will be run post-KPL, including the possibility of clubs voting for an independent chairman to lead the new league body,” a statement from the Federation read.
Representatives from 17 of the 18 KPL clubs, bar Sofapaka, attended the meeting.
With KPL’s mandate set to run out in September, FKF boss Nick Mwendwa was categorical they will not be renewing the mandate.
“It is a registered company and to be honest we don’t want to get involved in what they do after this. We have already made the decision to run the league from Kandanda House and we will agree with the clubs on the way forward,” Mwendwa told Capital Sport in an interview last week.
Mwendwa also hinted that they are thinking of having one executive chairman who will have no affiliation to any club and will be assisted by two from clubs.
However, they are yet to agree on whether a new company will be formed to run the top tier or they will work with a board. The five-member team named on Wednesday will explore these possibilities.
At the same time, Mwendwa has updated the clubs that the Federation will receive almost Sh13mn (120,000 USD) as the first instalment of payment in the next coming days.
According to the agreement, the Federation will also receive an advance payment of Sh75mn (693,334 USD) one month before the start of the season. They will also receive this equivalent on or before the third and sixth month of the season respectively.
Under the new sponsorship agreement, clubs are set to receive Sh8mn a season, just over Sh500,000 more than they used to receive when South African company Supersport was the league’s broadcast partner.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 22 – New Kenyan Premier League and Football Kenya Federation Division One sponsors BetKing say they are determined to contribute to the growth of sports in the country under their philosophy ‘Back your game’.
The Nigerian betting company was unveiled as the two leagues’ sponsor last week with the Kenyan Premier League set to receive Sh1.2bn in five years while the Division One league will receive Sh100mn over the same period of time.
The company is setting up base in the country and has enlisted the services of PR firm Edelman to roll out its mandate in the country.
According to Henry Okatch, BetKing Kenya’s spokesperson, the firm is committed to bringing long term sustainable impact to football clubs and the ecosystem they operate in, especially at the grassroot level where little or no attention has been given over the past few years.
“Football and sports in Kenya has been an important tool for community empowerment, and this is why we are backing our game with a 5-year partnership with FKF to ensure that the ecosystem that clubs operate in is conducive for their growth and development,”Okatch says.
He adds; “It is vital that football clubs have appropriate facilities and equipment that will enable them to thrive and that their local communities also benefit through programs and own initiatives that build resilience and transformation.”
On Wednesday, FKF boss Nick Mwendwa held a meeting with KPL clubs to brief them on the new sponsorship deal which will see each of the 18 teams receive grants of Sh8mn annually.
The Federation is set to receive the first tranche of payment in the next coming days while a further Sh73mn will be wired a month before the league kicks off.
Meanwhile, Division One Clubs will receive Sh500,000 annually from their sponsorship.
“For grassroots clubs this is godsend opportunity because it is the first time that division one clubs and even other grassroot clubs are getting sponsorship that will ease their obligation to play matches This deal will go a long way in easing transport and accommodation costs especially for away matches,” Buruburu Sports Club chairman Patrick Orwako said.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 22 – Kenyan left back Clarke Oduor was on the pitch for less than five minutes, but his goal in the 91st minute for Barnsley was not only important for his club, but miles away for West Brom who earned promotion back to the English Premier League courtesy of that goal.
Barnsley faced promotion chasers Brentford away from home and were drawing 1-1 with the game winding down. However, Oduor who came on in the 86th minute tapped home his first ever goal for the Reds, earning them a 2-1 win on the road.
The victory first meant that Barnsley survived relegation from the Championship on the final day of the season. They finished on 49 points, just one above Charlton who have been relegated alongside Wigan Athletic and Hull City.
Second, the victory meant that West Brom who were held to a 2-2 draw by QPR edged out Brentford to an automatic promotion slot and now join Leeds United in next season’s EPL season.
West Brom, coached by former West Ham coach Slaven Bilic had failed to win any of their last four matches, but held on for the point to see them progress to the top tier, much thanks to Oduor’s goal in Brentford.
Brentford will meanwhile join Fulham, Cardiff and Swansea City in the promotion play-offs to get one more team to earn promotion into the EPL.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 27 – Michael Olunga continued with his rich vein of form in the Japanese J-1 league scoring a hattrick as his side Kashiwa Reysol thrashed Vegalta Sendai 5-1 to take his season tally to eight and sitting top of the goal scorer’s chart.
Olunga should have had four but had a goal disallowed.
He still went on to score in the 40th minute with a neat header before adding two more in the second half. Hayato Nakama had opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Olunga came through with the hattrick.
Substitute Yusuke Segawa put the icing on the cake with the fifth goal four minutes from time.
The former Gor Mahia and Tusker FC forward had struggled after the restart, with Reysol losing three matches on the trot. But he has managed to bounce back scoring six goals in three consecutive matches.
He has now scored eight league goals in seven matches and nine in all competitions this season and is miles clear in the golden boot hunt. The second-best scorer in the league, Sapporo’s Suzuki Musashi has scored four.
In England, uncapped left back Clarke Oduor perhaps had the biggest weekend of his life, coming off the bench to score the winner in added time to help his side Barnsley escape relegation from the Championship.
Barnsley were held at 1-1 against promotion chasers Brentford and were staring at the chop. However, Oduor who has had limited playing time since the restart stepped off the bench in the 86th minute to tap in the winner five minutes after his introduction.
The goal helped Barnsley secure three points that hoisted them off the chop zones where they survived relegation by a point.
The leftback who came through the youth ranks at Leeds United since he was 10 years old is yet to be capped by the national team, though head coach Francis Kimanzi is keen to give him a run in for the upcoming international fixtures.
In the United States, Harambee Stars skipper Victor Wanyama impressed once again but it wasn’t enough as his side Impact Montreal lost 1-0 to Orlando in the MLS Is Back Tournament round of 16 in Florida.
Wanyama has provided assured performances for Thierry Henry’s side, but they have been unfortunate not to conjure results. They will now switch their attention to the league.
Elsewhere in Sweden, Eric Johannah also scored for a second consecutive match as his side Jonkopings Sodra beat Brage 2-0 to move second in the second tier Superettan league.
The former Mathare United midfielder who also clocked full minutes scored the second for Sodra in the 54th minute after Moustafa Zeidan had broken the deadlock in the first half from the penalty spot.
He has so far played in all eight matches for his new club, starting in six and coming on as a substitute in two.
In Georgia, both Alwyn ‘Chambi’ Tera and Amos Nondi clocked full minutes for their clubs. Tera was on the pitch as his side Saburtalo moved to third in the standings with a 4-0 victory over Torpedo Kutaisi.
Nondi also clocked full minutes as his club DIla Gori maintained top spot in the standings despite a 1-1 draw at home with Dinamo Batumi.
In Tanzania, goalkeeper Faruk Shikalo kept a clean sheet as Yanga SC beat Lipuli 1-0 in their final league match of the season. Shikalo will now hope Simba SC clinch the FA Cup for his side to earn a spot at next season’s CAF Confederations Cup after finishing second in the league.
Faruk Shikhalo celebrates with Yanga fans after their final match of the season. PHOTO/Yanga/Twitter
Meanwhile, Francis Kahata also had play time as Simba finished their league campaign with a 2-0 victory over Polisi Tanzania. Kahata played a role for Simba’s second goal, making a dummy that created room for skipper John Bocco to score his second goal.
Elsewhere, coach Francis Baraza led his side Biashara United to a ninth-place finish after a 2-0 victory over relegated Singida United.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 27 – Harambee Stars winger Ayub Timbe has announced he will return to his Chinese club Beijing Renhe after his six-month loan stint with English Championship side Reading FC ended.
Masika was initially set to be with Reading from January to the end of May, but the contract was extended after the stoppages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My short journey at Reading is finished. I want to thank the club, the staff, my mates and definitely every supporter who was with me through this half season. It was a pleasure to be @ReadingFC. Thank you all and I wish you good luck in the coming season,” Timbe posted on his Twitter account.
Timbe had hoped to light it off in the English second tier and possibly impress enough to earn a spot in the English Premier League, but the same was hampered by reduced playing time.
He was limited to only five appearances for Reading, all coming off the bench which accounted to a total of 78 competitive minutes. The most minutes he clocked in a single match was against Luton Town where he played for 29 minutes.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 28 – AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda says the club will offer coach Anthony Kimani a long-term contract and a war chest of strong players to go into the new Kenyan Premier League season with.
Kimani was handed over duties at Ingwe on interim basis after Rwandese tactician Cassa Mbungo left the club and managed to stabilize the ship with Leopards ranking sixth by the time the season was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He has worked under very difficult conditions and confirmed he can do the job. I don’t think we are in a hurry of getting somebody else,” Shikanda told Capital Sport.
He adds; “If somebody performs well, the best thing is to confirm him and reassure him of his position. We are okay with him going forward and we are now looking for a credible playing unit we give him and support him.”
AFC Leopards head coach Anthony Kimani urges his players on during a past Kenyan Prmier League match. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
Kimani had been working as an assistant to the Rwandese and many of Ingwe fans were jittery when he was handed the role till the end of the season as this was his first full coaching job in the top-flight.
But the youthful coach, himself a former captain at Leopards proved his mettle when he was asked to step up to the pressure plate.
Meanwhile, Shikanda says they are looking to sign a maximum of three experienced players and has confirmed the club has been in contact with some transfer targets.
“We are not looking to bring in a big number of players but we want to build the team around what we already have. We will wait and see if some players will leave but we want to keep a hold of all our players and maybe add three experienced players and three youthful ones,” Shikanda noted.
Meanwhile, he has stated the club will not come in between any player who wants to leave the club, adding they will only keep players who want to play for AFC Leopards.
One such player who has been the subject of transfer speculation is midfielder Austin Odhiambo who is rumored to be wanting a move to arch-rivals Gor Mahia. Though the youngster denied the claims last week, sources intimate that he is keen on a move.
AFC Leopards midfielder ASustin Odhiambo vies for the ball with Gor Mahia’s Lawrence Juma during a past Mashemeji Derby. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
“Football is a profession where you decide where you want to play. If you feel AFC is not good, then we will not stand in anyone’s way. If someone believes he is not getting the best where he is and is disgruntled, the best thing is to move,” Shikanda noted.
Shikanda has also confirmed that the club has paid most of the salary arrears owed to players, saying they have only failed to clear last month’s arrears but have given the players some bit of it.
He has also confirmed that the team has received the first instalment of payment from new league title sponsors BetKing.
Shikanda was appointed into a five-member team to look at the running of the league with the new sponsors and he says they will have their first meeting soon to scrutinize the contract further and plan on modalities of working for the new season.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 28 – The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has thrown out preliminary objections by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and eight Kenyan Premier League (KPL) clubs in the case by Chemelil Sugar and KPL objecting the decision to end the top-flight season.
Tribunal chair John Ohaga on Tuesday struck out all objections raised by the Federation and the eight clubs with costs, saying the case will proceed to hearing.
Ohaga has now set the hearing date for the 18th of next month and further extended the Stay Orders suspending the decision to end the season.
KPL had argued that the Federation had overstepped its mandate in ending the season, as the agreement signed between the two parties in 2015 allowed the league managers exclusivity in its decisions.
FKF announced an end to the football calendar, citing a Force Majeure rule in its league statutes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, league managers KPL and Chemelil Sugar who were relegated headed to the Tribunal to object the decision.
The Tribunal was set to make a ruling on the Preliminary Objections on June 29, but halted the same after a case filed at the Mombasa High Court issued a Conservatory Order against the Tribunal, one that was later lifted.
Eight KPL clubs; namely Western Stima, Tusker FC, Ulinzi Stars, Kariobangi Sharks, Posta Rangers, KCB and Kisumu All Stars were enjoined as interested parties, leaning on the Federation’s side to support the decision to end the season.
-Objections thrown out
However, their objections on the case going into full hearing were thrown out.
Among the objections that FKF and its interested parties argued infront of the Tribunal on May 26 include;
-The Petition contravenes the provisions of Articles 14 (1)(a), 48(3) and 69(1) of the FKF Constitution and Rule 10.3.5 of the FKF Rules and Regulations Governing Kenyan Football (2019) stipulating that all disputes affecting leagues and members of FKF fall within the jurisdiction of FKF’s constitutional internal dispute resolution mechanisms and structures;
-The 1st and 2nd Petitioner (KPL and Chemelil Sugar) lack the locus standi to institute the Petition before the Tribunal and have no authority to maintain the Petition;
-The Petition is res judicata (a similar matter had already been adjudicated before and may not be pursued further by the same parties;
-The Petition is incompetent, frivolous and vexatious.
However, in Ohaga’s ruling, he has thrown out all the objections.
On matter of eligibility, he says the Tribunal is qualified to listen and determine the matter as it is a sports issue. Ohaga, referring to Article 59(3) of the FIFA Statutes also argued that the provision to take arbitration to an independent body is provided for.
“This Tribunal is sui generis in its own right essentially handling the arbitration of sports disputes as is noted in the heading at Part VII of the Sports Act. Furthermore, section 59 of the Sports Act bestows upon the Tribunal the power to apply alternative dispute resolution methods in sports disputes,” Ohaga said in his ruling.
-Internal mechanisms
Ohaga also said he supported the idea of having the issue internally resolved through FKF’s judicial bodies but went on to note that referring the matter to an internal body within the FKF would be tantamount to breach of the principles of natural justice.
On whether Chemelil have Locus Standi to bring a suit infront of the Tribunal, Ohaga ruled to the affirmative as the club is a member and shareholder of the KPL and has a right to institute legal proceedings at the Tribunal.
At the same time, Ohaga said that FKF and the eight clubs’ lawyers failed to prove that CEO Jack Oguda needed express permission from the KPL management board before instituting or representing it in any legal case.
On the issue of whether Chemelil’s lawyer Amos Otieno was qualified to represent his clients on the basis of having a valid practicing certificate, the Tribunal found out that indeed Otieno received his certificate way after he had filed the case and was hence not qualified to practice.
But, Ohaga in his ruling stated that lack of a practicing certificate does not negate the merits of the case.
Meanwhile, Ohaga ruled that seasoned journalist Milton Nyakundi who had said he was representing Kakamega Homeboyz as interested parties did not have capacity to do so as he is not a practicing lawyer.
“This Tribunal finds that the Application for joinder of Kakamega Homeboys FC as an Interested Party stands defective and is deemed void for all purposes,” Ohaga said in his ruling.
-Petition going into full hearing
With the case now going into full hearing, Chemelil and KPL will have to serve a Supplementary Affidavit by Thursday with FKF and the interested parties serving their responses within seven days.
Both parties are also required to serve written submissions by August 17, a day to the hearing date.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – As Kenya looks to resuscitate its tourism sector badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has brought on board reigning Olympic champion and marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge as its destination ambassador.
KTB expects Eliud to use his profile and international command to promote Kenya as a preferred tourism destination both locally, regionally and internationally through various campaigns.
“I am passionate and love my country dearly and it is an honor to be working with KTB on projects geared towards propelling Kenya as a preferred tourist destination globally. Kenya has a lot to offer, and I urge local and foreign visitors to explore and experience what the country has to offer,” Kipchoge said.
KTB CEO Dr Betty Radier said that the board is pleased to have Kipchoge committed to promoting destination Kenya adding that he, among other marathoners are Kenya’s greatest assets and have put the destination on the global map.
“Kenya is well known as the home of champions hence sports form part of our strategy to popularise the country’s tourism offering. As a board, we have invested in locally hosted sporting events like the magical Kenya open, The World Rally Championship and world athletics championships, among others through sponsorship,” Radier said.
Kipchoge’s stature on and off the road has been a darling of many and his international appeal especially after his Ineos 1:59 run last year place him highly as a perfect man for the job.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Harambee Stars prospect Jonah Ayunga has joined English League One side Bristol Rovers on a two-year deal after leaving sixth tier side Havant and Waterlooville.
The 23-year old was in the books of Sutton for the 2018/19 season but spent three months on loan at Havant and Waterlooville, where a good spell of form saw him recalled early to Sutton.
The striker linked up with his former Sutton boss Paul Doswell when he made his move to Havant and Waterlooville permanent in the summer of 2019.
Ayunga struck 17 goals in the league last term, with the forward adding a further five in the cup competitions. Havant finished the regular season in 2nd place, with the striker ending the campaign as joint-top scorer in the division.
“Ever since I heard about the potential of the move I’ve been excited to join. I have chats with Ben Garner (coach) and hearing the plan that he has for both me and the club and where he wants to go showed me that this is a good place to be,” Ayunga told the club’s website after completing the move.
The tactician in turn stated; “Given the season he has just had there was interest from a number of EFL clubs and we are very pleased that we have managed to agree a deal that will see Jonah play here at Rovers.
“He’s another player that we have looked at extensively over a long period of time and we feel that the qualities he brings will enhance the squad we are assembling.”
Ayunga was first called up to the national team in 2016 when he had been in the books of English Premier League side Brighton with their Under-23 team.
He was part of the senior squad that played a friendly match against Uganda Cranes in Kampala. Last year, he was called up to the national Under-23 team by then coach Francis Kimanzi, but was an unused substitute in the Olympic qualification match against Mauritius.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 28 – Victor Bosire has won four Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) League titles in a row and named the best player in his last league conquest.
But if things would have gone the other way, he would have been pumping up the right wing on a football pitch, having had opportunities, including a chance to train at the prestigious Aspire Football Academy in Qatar.
He would have joined the list of Kenyans to train at the Academy including Ramadhan ‘Messi’ Agege, Timonah Wanyonyi and Khalid Jumaan but when he couldn’t achieve that feat, he turned his head to basketball and the game equally gifted him another life.
Victor Ali Abondo, Benjamin Oketch, Ronald Omino, Andrew Murunga, Luke Ochieng just to name but a few were some of those he played with in Kisumu.
The point guard won three league titles in a row with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and added a fourth last season with Ulinzi Warriors, where he also picked up the Most Valuable Player (MVP) crown, one which he also came close to winning in 2018.
“I can’t say that I regret not choosing football, or whether choosing basketball was the best decision because I don’t know what would have come up ahead. But in everything, I am happy I played basketball because this game has given me everything I have today,” Bosire says.
-Jack of two trades-
Ulinzi Warriors and Kenya Morans’ Victor Bosire during the interview with Capital Sports. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
Simply, he is a Jack of two trades, and a master of both.
“When I was in Form Four, I had an invitation to travel to Qatar and join Aspire, but my dad refused. He couldn’t agree because it was an Arab country and he wanted me to pursue my education,” Bosire who schooled and grew up in Kisumu told Capital Sport.
His selection was the highlight of a sparkling football career at the Kisumu Day High School which also earned him a slot at Kisumu Hotstars, now Kisumu All Stars.
In 2005, he was named the Most valuable player at the Copa Coca-Cola Under-17 games in the Nyanza Region, the games played at the Kisumu Polytechnic.
But how exactly did he end up in basketball despite having so much talent and promise as a footballer? By his own admission, it remains a funny story.
He started out at Nyang’ori High School in Form One, before switching to Kisumu Day in Form Two due to constant health troubles that required him to move to a Day School.
It is at Nyang’ori where he started scratching the basketball itch.
“In High School, people tend to play the game they feel will go furthest because you definitely want to be on outings every weekend. In Nyang’ori, basketball was the bigger sport. Football wasn’t so big and they used to be eliminated at the Zonal levels so I thought I could try basketball out,” Bosire said.
He was introduced to basketball by one of the coaches at Nyang’ori who was impressed with his skills when he watched him play football. He was fast and agile.
Having been a footballer all through, coming through the ranks at Hot Stars from the Under-12 level, basketball was an entirely new sport but it didn’t take long before he developed a liking for it.
“The coach (called Muindi) used to train me on weekends and he introduced me to basketball slowly. I was part of the school team and in Form Two, we reached the Provincial Finals. I didn’t play much but I was part of the team,” Bosire recalls.
-Completely dropped football
Kenya Morans and Ulinzi Warriors’ Victor Bosire. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
In Form Two, he completely dropped football and played fulltime basketball and the coach made him one of his captains. But, in third term, he had to switch schools and head to Kisumu Day and once again, his sporting see-saw weighed towards football.
“When I went back to Kisumu Day, the tables turned once again. Football was a bigger sport than basketball, so I ended up switching back to football. There were so many players we grew up together playing in the youth teams and it was easier to be convinced to get back to football,” Bosire explains.
Seamlessly he glided back to football and in Form Three first term played the Copa Cocacola tourney since he was still under 17 years and with his talent unquestionable went on to be named Most Valuable Player.
While playing Copa, he was also part of the senior school team and played in the second term national ball games where they went all the way to the nationals. Apart from playing for the school team, he was also promoted to the first team at Hot Stars.
Finally, football looked to be taking him places.
But when he reached Form Four, the tide turned once again. This time it was not about switching schools, but at the instruction of his dad.
-Had to play a First Term game
“My dad said I couldn’t play a second term game because I was doing my final exams and he needed me to concentrate on school. So I was given a choice that if I was to play, I had to play a first term game. I still wanted to play and good thing is that Copa was played early in the first term. But then again, I decided to play basketball as well because it was also a First Term game,” Bosire explains.
Kenya Morans and Ulinzi Warriors’ Victor Bosire. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
It didn’t take time to re-adjust as he would still casually play basketball in between football. At that time as well, Kisumu Day’s basketball had improved because of a change in coach.
“The coach had seen me play before and he told me that he knew I could look at basketball beyond High School and really worked on me,” Bosire says.
That year, they surpassed all expectation and reached the Nationals in 2006 despite losing to Maseno High School in the Provincials. Maseno were national champions and that gave Nyanza an opportunity to take two teams to the nationals.
From then on, basketball won the tussle.
After finishing his Form Four exams, the fact that basketball was his destiny was strengthened further when he was scouted by Laiser Hill High School and given a scholarship to do Form Five and Six at the Ongata Rongai based school while playing basketball for them.
“I thought, why not? Because I had one year free before going to campus, it wasn’t such a bad idea after all. It was lucrative,” Bosire says before adding, he still played football for Hot Stars when he went home during the holidays.
-Football became history
But after Form Six, football became history.
He was once again scouted, this time by the United States International University (USIU) who gave him a scholarship for his Undergraduate while also playing for the school’s basketball team which featured in the Premier League.
Kenya Morans and Ulinzi Warriors’ Victor Bosire. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
“They gave me an opportunity to study and play, without paying a cent. For me, this was something big. Even if it didn’t work in football, basketball was now giving me a life. Some people told me I had wasted my talent in football but I don’t look at it that way. Through basketball, I did both my undergrad and masters at USIU,” Bosire explains.
He did an undergrad in Business Administration, majoring on Accounting while he went on to do a Masters in Business Administration- Strategic Management for two years.
Bosire played at USIU for six years, before he made the leap to KPA after finishing his Masters. With basketball now part and parcel of his life, he juggled his work with the East African Breweries with basketball by moving to Kenya Ports Authority.
He is a Territory Manager with the East African breweries Limited (EABL) based in Nyeri.
He would travel every weekend to Nairobi and Mombasa for match days.
“After playing for six years at USIU, I really wanted to win a championship. It wasn’t easy with USIU because we had a new team every time because it is a college team and players come and go. My two former teammates at USIU moved to KPA and that convinced me to go there,” Bosire explains.
And his gamble was spot on as he went on to clinch the title thrice in a row; 2016, 2017 and 2018. He had started his time at KPA by losing in the semis of the play-offs to Ulinzi Warriors but went on to improve that with top podium spots.
“The 2015 loss was very painful because Ulinzi made it worse by marching infront of our bench after they won. In 2016, we met them coincidentally in the semis. They won game one in Mombasa, but we came to Nairobi and won game two and three to progress to the final where we beat Co-Op Bank,” Bosire recalls.
-Not smooth stay in KPA
Kenya Morans and Ulinzi Warriors’ Victor Bosire. PHOTO/Timothy Olobulu
But his stay in KPA was not smooth in the final two years especially with the company failing to employ players despite promises to do so.
“In the first year, they told us that we needed to win something to have a bargaining chip. We did so in 2016 by winning the title but despite that, they started pulling themselves to fulfil the promise. We tried again in 2017 but they were very dodgy again,” Bosire explains.
In 2018, he decided it would be his final season with the portmen, having been angered by their failure to fulfill promises of employing some players. He bowed out with his third title, with a clean sweep of Ulinzi in the final.
Coincidentally, the same Ulinzi against who there was a massive rivalry, ended up being his new employers. He was initially set to join Equity Bank, but when his bargaining chip of having two of his teammates employed by the bank looked to be headed the KPA way, he decided to join Ulinzi.
At Ulinzi, he went on to win his fourth title in 2019, where he was also named MVP.
-Value their players
“I loved Ulinzi because they do value their players and many of them have found employment through basketball. In terms of remuneration, KPA is way better than Ulinzi but to me, what matters is how the team treats its players,”
“I got my employment currently at EABL because someone in the basketball circles who I didn’t even know and was a highly ranked official recommended me. I made the decision that equally, if I can help someone get employment in the future, then I will,”
Victor Bosire dribbles the ball away during a previous match with Ulinzi Warriors. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
“When we perform well as a team, there are opportunities for players to get employment and that is my motivation every day,” said Bosire.
With the challenges of travelling between Nyeri and Nairobi every weekend, Bosire has admitted it hasn’t been easy.
“Balancing the two is quite hard. I usually travel for matches and train in Nyeri after work. But sometimes, the demands of the job are very high and I could miss matches because I have to be at work. But nonetheless, whenever I can come play, it is usually my joy,”
“It helps me a lot to relax, be happy and take my mind off career and in the long run, that keeps me fresh and energized always,” Bosire states.
-Scale more heights-
And now, the 32-year old plans to scale more heights with Ulinzi as well as the national team, where he has also turned out to be an integral figure.
Victor Bosire pushes forward during a past match with the Kenya Morans. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya
With Ulinzi, his hope is to progress to the final stages of the Basketball Africa League next year. He had the chance to play the inaugural tournament with KPA this year, but passed down the opportunity by joining Ulinzi.
With the national team, the Kenya Morans, his eyes are trained on helping the team qualify for the FIBA Afrobasket Championship next year in Kigali, Rwanda. For the qualifiers scheduled to start in November, Kenya will battle against Senegal, Angola and Mozambique in Group C.
“This is just like a wrestling match where you weigh your opponents and know who you can beat because three teams qualify. We feel that as a team we can achieve that target and we are confident that we will qualify,”
“Due to the COVID situation, we meet every Monday on Zoom to discuss and scout the opponents and we are also training individually at our homes to keep fit,” Bosire explains.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 29 – Kenyan rugby clubs will have to wait longer to know whether or not they can conclude the season halted in March by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government restrictions therein put into effect to curb the spread of the virus.
Addressing the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held virtually via Zoom on Wednesday evening, Union boss Oduor Gangla says they are still holding consultative meetings with the government authorities to know when it is safe for sports to return.
“Many are keen to know when rugby will return. I don’t have the answer today but we continue to engage the Government and soon there will be a pronouncement on the way forward. After that we will sit and engage with stakeholders to see way forward for our game,” Gangla said.
The Union had made a decision to call an end to the Kenya Cup, Enterprise Cup and Championship seasons after the stoppage occasioned by the pandemic, but a petition by clubs forced the Union to rescind the decision.
With virus cases still soaring, uncertainty on whether sports will continues this year continue to grow slim. But, the Government through the Ministry of Sports set up a committee to look at ways where sports can return safely.
Non-contact sports were given a go ahead by the Ministry, but with rugby being a highly contact sport, the protocols surrounding its return are set to be tougher.
-First ever virtual AGM
The Union held the AGM virtually for the first time ever, also due to the restrictions set by the government to contain the spread of the virus that has killed more than 200 people in the country so far.
At the AGM, members were briefed on the Union’s financial status with the Union’s treasurer Joshua Aroni reporting that the Union had an income of slightly over Sh215mm in the last financial year, a slight drop from the Sh227mn realized in the previous year.
At the same time, Aroni informed the AGM that the Union board made a decision to invest Sh45mn under a money market investment with the Britam Fund.
“The Board thought it wise to put the money there so that we can generate some funds in terms of interest that we could use to help run the Union in the short term,” Aroni explained.
At the same time, the treasurer said the Union has been forced to hugely scale down its operational costs through laying down of staff while some have been sent on compulsory leave due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
-Finances greatly hit
Aroni also warned that the Union’s finances will be greatly hit in this financial year as they will have no finances coming in due to the lack of activities. The Union’s biggest revenue cow, the Safari Sevens which is usually set for November looks unlikely at the moment.
“We need to look at ways in which we can have finances for this year and apart from petitioning the government, we need to engage new partnerships and also the existing ones in order to get revenue,” Aroni said.
Meanwhile, the Union has retained PKF as its auditors for the next financial year, but members asked the Union to bargain for a cheaper rate due to the financial situation.
“The volume of work will also be reduced because there haven’t been much activity so it will only be prudent for them to look at the cost of their work,” Nondies chair Auka Gacheo stated.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – World Athletics has announced that the World Under-20 Championships will now be held from August 17-22 next year, one week after the Tokyo Olympics, having been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Championship had been scheduled to be held this month, but was postponed due to restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Athletics Kenya had hoped World Athletics would retain the competition as there were earlier fears that it might be scrapped due to a clogged calendar.
“We are definitely very excited that we now have a date. It’s been a while waiting to know when the event will take place. We were afraid they would have said 2022 but 2021 is what we wanted,” Athletics Kenya Youth Committee chair Barnaba Korir told Capital Sport.
“The athletes will now continue with their training in camps and at least now they know the dates. We will continue assisting them in their programs. Also this is an opportunity for us because we didn’t have many field event athletes and sprinters but now we have a whole year to ensure we get them and prepare for the event,” Korir added.
-Age limits
Meanwhile, a number of athletes might be locked out of the event after World Athletics announced the age cut for participants would be those aged between 16 and 19 years on 31 December, 2021.
Previously, the age was based on the event taking place in 2020.
“We will have a few who will have passed the age by next year but at least around 80pc of our athletes will still be within that age bracket,” Korir said.
This will be the second international event Kenya will host post- COVID-19, with the Continental Tour set to be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium on September 26.
Meanwhile, World Athletics has announced that the World Half Marathon Championships set for Yangzhou in 2022 has moved back one week, from 20 March to 27 March.
At the same time, organizers for the World Cross Country Championships which were scheduled for Bathurst, Australia in March next year have asked to explore alternative dates for the event.
Organizers have informed World Athletics that this is due to ongoing travel and gathering restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures currently implemented within Australia to contain it.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johannah continued with his rich vein of form in Sweden, scoring a brace as he helped his club Jonkopings Sodra pull a point in a 3-3 draw against GIF Sundsvall.
The former Mathare United man scored the equalizer in the fourth minute of added time to scrap a point for his side, moving them to fifth in the second tier Superettan standings.
He had opened the scoring in the 34th minute before Pontus Englblom equalized for Sundsvall from the penalty spot.
Amir Al Ammari put Sodra 2-1 up, but a lapse in concentration saw the visitors score twice in the 51st and 77th minutes through Niklas Dahlstrom and Dennis Olsson.
Johannah however had the last laugh, scoring in the dying minutes, his third goal in two matches, completing 90 minutes also for the second consecutive match.
“I am really happy that I am picking up good form. I have been working hard in training and in matches and getting to score and playing full minutes is something great. I have settled down well in the team and now I feel really comfortable with the coaches and teammates making me feel at home. Hopefully there is more to come,” Johannah said.
The midfielder joined Sodra at the beginning of the season after leaving IF Bromma who were relegated from the top tier.
Meanwhile, left back Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma is nearing a complete comeback after suffering a fractured foot a month ago.
Ouma has finally removed the cast from his leg and has started running.
“I have recovered very well though not 100pc. I have been running since last week and doing a bit of ball work. The doctor told me that in two weeks I will be able to train with the rest of the players,” Ouma told Capital Sports.
The AIK man has already missed 11 games of the new season with the club placed 12th in the 16-team top-flight with 12 points.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – Nairobi City Stars have hinted they would want to retain experienced defender Noah Abich as well as Ugandan forward Jimmy Bageya for their Kenyan Premier League return, with their contracts at the club expiring.
Abich was integral in City Stars’ survival fight in the 2018, 2019 season and was also a key player as they finally earned a return back to the top-flight.
Also set to be considered for contract renewal are left back David Gateri, former Gor Mahia midfielder Eric Ochieng, Tedian Esilaba and Kevin Okumu, according to the team coordinator Samson Otieno.
At the same time, defender Wycliffe Otieno who was signed at the start of the season from Kariobangi Sharks has extended his contact further for a year while experienced midfielder and skipper Anthony Kimani, defender Calvin Masawa, defensive mid Charles Otieno Oduro and striker Davis Agesa have added two years to their contracts.
“When we started out last season a number of players were on one-year engagements but mid-way through we extended those contracts as the view to the Premier League became crystal clear. Just two teenagers – striker Vincent ‘Jamaica’ Otieno and midfielder Elvis Ojiambo started out with long term deals,” Otieno said.
Others to extend their contracts with Simba wa Nairobi include Oliver Maloba, striker Ebrima Sanneh, defenders Salim ‘Shitu’ Abdalla and Edwin Buliba. Goalkeeper Ronny Kagunzi and left back Wesley Onguso have also extended their contracts by two years.
City Stars are meanwhile also keen to sign another goalkeeper after the exit of Levis Opiyo who joined champions Gor Mahia.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – The Employment and Labor Relations Court on Thursday gave an order to freeze Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) accounts over unpaid compensation owed to ex Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson.
Williamson moved to court suing the Federation for unlawful dismissal after he was sacked as the national team boss in 2016 and was subsequently awarded slightly over Sh57mn after winning the case.
However, the Federation failed to remit the amount and Williamson moved back to Court, with presiding judge Justice Byram Ongaya ordering the accounts frozen.
“That the application herein is certified as urgent and service upon the garnishee be dispensed within the first instance on account of its urgency,” the rulin from Justice Ongaya, as quoted by Daily Nation stated.
It added; “That an ex-parte order be issued against the garnishee herein attaching forthwith all the funds held in a bank account numbers.”
“That a hearing date be set for confirmation of the attachment order absolute and to facilitate immediate release by the garnishee of the sum of Ksh Sh57,371,363,33 from the funds held in the subject bank account to the decree holder through its advocates on record,” Justice Ongaya further directed.
Williamson was sacked as the Stars boss in 2016 when the current office came in, with Stanley Okumbi appointed in his place.
The Scot who has previously coached Uganda Cranes then instituted legal proceedings against the Federation at the Employment and Labor Relations Court seeking compensation for unlawful dismissal.
This comes on the backdrop of another compensation claim by another former coach, Adel Amrouche. The Belgian was fired by former FKF boss Sam Nyamweya and consequently took the case to FIFA who awarded him a total of Sh108mn for unlawful dismissal.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 4 – Harambee Stars defender Joseph ‘Crouch’ Okumu made a return from injury for his Swedish top tier side IF Elfsborg, clocking 70 minutes as the side came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with FC Sirius on Monday night.
Okumu had been sidelined for the last three weeks with a hamstring strain, but made a return to the starting XI on Monday after recovering well.
But, it was not the welcome he had desired as Elfsborg sipped in three goals in the first 28 minutes, his side trailing 3-1.
“It was a very tough return to be honest. Conceding three goals within the opening half hour of the game is always tough for everyone but I am glad we bounced back and got a point from the match,” Okumu told Capital Sport.
He added; “Of course coming back from injury you have to struggle a bit to get your step and rhythm but it’s a good start. Hopefully I continue working in training this week and be ready for the next game.”
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu training with his side IF Elfsborg. PHOTO/Elfsborg/Twitter
The former Chemelil Sugar defender came off for Gustav Henriksson in the 70th minute, with his side already completing the comeback with goals from Jesper Karlsson and Rasmus Alm taking them level in the home tie.
Meanwhile, leftback Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma continued with his comeback from a foot fracture with sessions on the pitch with his side AIK.
It was a relatively good weekend for Kenyans abroad, featuring for their sides.
In Japan, Michael Olunga remains unstoppable in the J1 League as he scored his ninth goal of the season as Kashiwa Reysol picked up a 1—0 away victory over Nagoya Grampus.
A difficult game against a good side +3points +1 goal
The win took Reysol to fourth in the standings with 15 points, seven behind leaders Kawasaki Frontale.
Olunga remains on top of the J! League top scorers’ chart while for a second week in a row, he was named in the team of the week
Meanwhile in Tanzania, Francis Kahata was unfortunate to come off injured after 25 minutes, but his side Simba SC managed to complete their season treble with a 2-1 win over Namungo FC in the FA Cup Final on Sunday.
Simba have won the Community Shield and League titles to add on to their collection of trophies, Kahata ending a very successful first season in Tanzania where he recorded eight goals and seven assists across all competitions.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 5 – Harambee Starlets and Vihiga Queens forward Cynthia Shilwatso arrived in Spain on Wednesday ahead of completing a move to top tier side EDF Logrono.
The 20-year old forward arrived in Madrid in the evening before taking a two-hour bus ride to her new base Logrono, a distance of three and a half hours away.
“I am delighted to make this move and I think it is going to be a brilliant step in growing my career. I look forward to the challenge of playing in the top tier of Spain,” Shilwatso said.
Former Kenyan international, now the Football Kenya Federation Women’s Premier League manager Doreen Nabwire could not hide her excitement with the news of Shilwatso’s move.
“This is a very good deal for her because it is in the top-flight and a long term deal. For her development, growth and experience, it is the perfect place and I want to wish her all the best,” Nabwire told Capital Sport.
The Spanish women’s league, cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic is scheduled to kick off next month, with teams currently in pre-season.
Her move comes just two days after another Kenyan international Elizabeth Katungwa completed a move to Swedish third tier side IF Dalhem where two other Kenyans, Christine Nafula and Mary Kinuthia ply their trade.
Shilwatso’s move follows a growing list of Kenyan women footballers making inroads out of the country.
Striker Esse Akida plays in Turkey with Besiktas, midfielder Corazone Aquino in Portugal with Atlético Ouriense as well as keeper Annedy Kundu and Ruth Ingotsi who are in Cyprus.
Meanwhile, striker Mwanahalima Adam is also working her way to join Swedish top tier side IF Djugarden.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 6 – World Half Marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor says he is well on the recovery path, getting back into shape after a freak motorbike accident in June left him with head and ankle injuries that required surgery.
Kamworor was hit by a speeding motorbike while on a morning run and had to be treated at St. Luke’s Hospital in Eldoret where he underwent a minor surgery with Athletics Kenya accredited doctor Victor Bargoria.
“I am really glad that I am recovering well now after that accident and everything looks fine,” Kamworor told Capital Sport.
“I have already started my rehab training and currently, I am doing mostly gym work and indoor cycling to improve my endurance. I am hopeful that I will be able to get back on the road soon and take the training a step higher,” he added.
He still remains hopeful that he will get a competitive race to test himself by the end of the year, despite the calendar being shredded by the COVID-19 pandemic which caused stoppages to various sporting activities including the New York Marathon and the World Half Marathon Championship where he was to compete.
“I hope that I can have maybe one race to try and gauge myself but at the moment it is not a priority. My target is to get very fit because the aim is to be 100pc fit for the Olympics. Tokyo is my dream and everything I am doing in preparation is geared towards that,” Kamworor noted.
The 28-year old remains hopeful that sports in the country can be opened up so that he returns to his training base in Kaptagat to step up his training.
1 tir cadré 
"I wanna, I wanna, I wanna be Oduor-ed" 
A look at our new striker in action!
