NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 – Beijing 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Wilfred Bungei has warned that Kenya might fall in the same trap as Russia if the Government does not move with speed to formulate and see legislation passed that will criminalize doping.

Over the past year, Kenyan athletics has been rocked by several cases of anti-doping related sanctions with former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang handed a four-year ban.

“Unless we criminalize doping, this thing will continue and it will tarnish our name. If we are not careful, we will be banned like Russia,” Bungei said in an interview with Capital Sports.

He adds; “If I know that if I dope I will go to jail, then I will not. But if I know that I will just be banned for two years, so what? I will just continue training and because I am not being followed, I will dope properly and train like crazy. When you come back you just need three weeks of not using it and it is not in your system.”

Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has been on record several times saying she will push for the criminalization of drug cheating with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) already working on proposed legislation that will be presented before Parliament.

“We are amending the Act because we have to bring it in line with the new international terms,” Amina said in a previous interview.

Bungei who captained Kenya at the 2008 Olympics believes this will be the only way to curb the vice that nearly saw Kenya stopped from competing at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and it had to take a series of shuttle diplomacy led by CS Amina, then at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Kenya to escape a possible suspension.

“We are always afraid to bite the bullet and that’s why people have not been talking about criminalization. They say oh, you can never wear the Kenyan uniform again if you are found doping…. Some people don’t care about the uniform. They only care about making money forgetting that if you are caught, its is the name of Kenya being tarnished,”

“The only solution is to criminalize doping. This is like stealing because you steal someone else’s victory. We always jail thieves so why not jail those who are caught doping?” poses Bungei.

He gives an example of China where he says the vice was stemmed once they criminalized the vice.

Kipchoge spoke to Capital Sports on a wide range of issues, including his opinion on why Kenya is losing its grip on the traditional events such as the 800m and the steeplechase.

He says the major reason as to why Kenyan athletes are no longer shining as much in the international stage in world championships and Olympic events is because of the needs driven by the market.

“Agents play a very big role. Most of them come to the country looking for Marathoners. If you look at the other track races there are very few in a year and no athlete wants ot be running on the track only. Most would want to combine with road races,”

“The athletes are being pushed by circumstances. There are very few races and you have to combine to get the money. There’s not s much money now in athletics and when you combine, you ca get something. It is very difficult to specialize. The market has killed specialization,” he explains.

However, with more events being rolled out by World Athletics including the Continental Gold Tour which will have a stop in Kenya for the first time ever, Bungei believes the market will open up to more money-making opportunities.

At the same time, looking back at his career, Bungei says he does not have any regrets at retiring early, and says he was satisfied with what he gave the country, revealing that he was pushed by circumstances to add two more years to his career.

“I don’t regret even a minute. Since retiring 10 years ago, I have never looked to go back and you hardly find me in a training shoe. I feel I did my part and when I won the Olympics, I decided that it was over for me,”

“But, when I announced I was retiring after the Beijing Olympics, my agent was very mad at me because he had secured a very good contract with Adidas. I ran in 2009 and 2010 but there was no more motivation for me. I had won the Olympic gold which was my dream and I felt I had done my part,”

“I am one athlete who was never motivated by money and I thought what I had made up to 2008 was enough for me,” explains Bungei.

He has also picked captaining the Kenyan team to Beijing as the highest moment of his career, especially with the country coming off the effects of the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

“We had come from the post-election violence and the only thing that brought the country together was the Olympics. The success of that team was so unique. Every Kenyan celebrated a win not because Wanjiru (the late Samuel) was a Kikuyu or Bungei was a Kalenjin. That is why it touches me every time I look back,” He says.

The performance of the 2016 team has since eclipsed the 2008 haul, but Bungei still believes that the 2008 team was the best Kenya has ever had at the games.

The post Criminalize doping or we end up like Russia, Bungei warns Kenya appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 – Four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah will be one of the eight pace setters as organizers for the 2020 London Marathon confirmed the elite list for this year’s race set to be staged in a closed bio-secure circuit at St. James’ Park.

Farah who is yet to taste success in road running as much as he enjoyed on the track will be the high-profile athlete in the pacing team which has two more Britons and five Kenyans.

Noah Kipkemoi, Victor Chumo, Eric Kiptanui, Alfred Barkach and Shadrack Kimining will be the Kenyan rabbits as world record holder Eliud Kipchoge goes for a record fifth title in the British capital.

The highly anticipated race pitting Kipchoge against the second fastest marathoner of all time, Kenenisa Bekele, will be staged on October 4.

The Ethiopian Bekele clocked 2:01:41 to win last year’s Berlin Marathon, coming two seconds shy of Kipchoge’s record set on the same course a year back.

Vincent Kipchumba, Gideon Kipketer amd Marius Kipserem will be the only other Kenyans in the elite list.

Meanwhile, Bekele will have plenty of Ethiopian contingent for support.

Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun who finished second and third in the 2019 race behind Kipchoge have been confirmed for the race as well as 2017 World Silver medalist Tamirat Tola, Shura Kitata who was second in the 2018 London Marathon and Berlin 2019 third place finisher Sisay Lemma.

Meanwhile in the women’s race, Kenya will have a strong contingent to vie for the crown.

Reigning champion and world record holder Brigid Kosgei, world champion Ruth Chepng’etich and 2018 champion Vivian Cheruiyot have been confirmed in the elite list.

Other Kenyans in the elite list include Valary Jemeli and Edith Chelimo. Nancy Jelagat, Pauline Kamulu, Sandrafelis Chebet and Lydia Mathathi will be on pacing duties.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 21 – On the fateful evening on November 11, 2012, when referee Damaris Kimani’s whistle echoed through the tension to signal the end of 90 minutes, the Nairobi City Stadium was turned into a cathedral of mourning.

Midfielder Rama Salim cried and wailed as he tossed himself down on the pitch, the rubber pellets from the artificial turf sticking in tow on his face with tears flowing freely. Other players sat pensive, thinking of the what ifs and why didn’t we.

On the stands, it was pandemonium; screams and wails which slowly turned chaotic were the anti-climax of what was expected to be a great day in Gor Mahia’s history.

Their effort at quenching a 17-year wait for the Kenyan Premier League title was thwarted right in front of their eyes, on a day when they though that Canaan was finally in sight.

Heading into the final game of the season, they needed to beat Thika United and care less whichever result Tusker FC picked at Hope Centre against City Stars.

But, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Thika while in Kawangware, Robert Matano’s Tusker sailed to a 3-0 victory, clipping the title right under Gor Mahia’s sail. The dream was broken.

-Journey home was long

Gor Mahia’s skipper then, Jerim Onyango remembers the day, eight years ago as if it was yesterday. In a tell-it-all interview with Capital Sports, Onyango has revealed just how much that loss affected him.

“The journey home was very long. I couldn’t sleep that night. I shed tears. It was such a heartbreaking day. But I am thankful for my wife and kids because they were there for me, encouraged me and told me it was not the end of the world,” Onyango who joined Gor in 2008 said.

The words ‘corner taken quickly’ are not only synonymous with Liverpool’s miraculous comeback against Barcelona in last season’s Champions League, but would also resonate with Onyango, nicknamed Jerry Ja Goal by the Gor faithful.

Wycliffe Opondo quickly took a corner down the left, playing it through to Francis Kahata who swung in a cross that Onyango spilled right in Kennedy ‘Agogo’ Otieno’s path, the latter gleefully tapping it home.

Rama Salim would unconventionally take Gor level late in the second half when he guided Moses ‘Dube’ Odhiambo’s deep searching cross past Lucas Indeche with his back, but it was too little too late. There would be no winner.

“It was so sad because we were expectant of clinching the title, but football is a game of mistakes and it’s a learning process. It was a bad day in office, being a keeper and the captain. Guys had so many expectations and by bad luck drew the match, Gor had been waiting for 17 years and fans’ expectations were so high, drawing that much killed their morale,” Onyango notes.

-Worst career moment

That ranked as Onyango’s worst moment in a career.

But like a stung lion, Gor would use the pain and agony of 2012, quenching an 18-year wait for glory in 2013 and going on to win it three times in a row.

“We sat down as players after that match and we agreed that we should put that pain behind and use the disappointment to win the title the next season. We agreed that we will win it, retain it and keep it. That is what we did. I can say losing it in 2012 was a blessing in disguise,” Onyango explains.

“As a captain I was relieved and it gave me so much joy to have led the team to the title. This is one of my highest moments at Gor,” notes Onyango.

The joy was sweeter for the custodian who had joined Gor at only 19 years from Ushuru where he had spent two seasons having joined them straight from Rambula Secondary School.

He had been part of the James Siang’a dream, the veteran tactician having invested in a very toung squad when he took charge in 2008 and they were handed a rude awakening the following year with five-star beatings in continental football.

-Fans to be patient

 “The late Siang’a told the fans to be patient because the vision he had would materialize in about for years. His words came true because we won the league in 2013,” says Jerry.

The keeper ultimately called time on his career after the 2016 season, a decision he said he took painstakingly as he was only 29 years.

“It wasn’t an easy decision. Not only my family but the entire Gor fraternity didn’t take it lightly. But for me I had made up my mind because I had achieved all the targets I had set. I won the league three times with Gor, I was named the best keeper in 2013 and I also played for the national team. I saw it as a good time to start my coaching career because I was still strong,” Onyango explains.

He went on to work with the Gor Mahia Youth Team as the goalkeeper trainer cum team manager and also soon found his way into the Harambee Stars Under-17 side.

He says he likes the experience so far and has not ruled out the dream of one day coaching Gor Mahia.

“I am currently just concentrating on being a goalkeeper coach but I have done a general CAF License C certificate which also makes me eligible to become a head coach. I can’t rule anything out so let’s see how the future looks like.

Jerim Onyango’s Gor Mahia best XI:

Jerim Onyango; Geodfrey Walusimbi, Karim Nizigiyimana, David ‘Calabar’ Owino, Musa Mohammed; Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito; George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Jacques Tuyisenge, Kevin ‘Ade’ Omondi; Michael Olunga.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 22 – The Kenyan motorsports fraternity is in mourning following the demise of yet another stalwart of the old type World Rally Championship Safari Rally, Prem Kumar Singh Choda.

The 86-year old died on Saturday morning in Nairobi.

Prem and his wife Pauruchistry Choda captivated the nostalgic Safari world in the 1970s and 80s competing in more than 10 Safari Rally events through to the late 1980’s.

The husband and wife crew didn’t just savor the intensity and gusto of what the fabled Safari had to offer back then, but saw rallying technology morph through different guises, from the endurance drive to the present day special stage sprint format.

Prem competed around the same time with the likes of the late Joginder Singh and late Shekhar Mehta who were both multiple winners of the iconic Safari.

His death comes some months prior to the much-anticipated return of the WRC Safari next year.

The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari was readmited to the global calendar this year but was postponed to 2021 due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

FIA African representative Surinder Thatthi condoled with the family of Choda.

“It was sad to learn of the passing of the legendary Prem Singh Choda. Africa has lost another rallying great and we shall miss him,” he said.

Viren Goricha who is Africa’s FIA Technical Delegate in the continent’s FIA ARC series said: “My condolences to the family.  I knew him for a long time. I last met him when he was in the hospital. I also met Pauru and I’m glad she’s going strong. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

All-rounder Steve Anthony who participated in rallying and motocross in the 80s and 90s said: “Prem and his wife were always very friendly, a popular husband and wife team. They were very big supporters of mine during my Motocross days.”

In his racing career, he tackled the Safari Rally with zest and vigor driving a Mitsubishi Gallant, a Colt Lancer similar to what Joginder Singh used; a Datsun H510 and a Datsun Violet.

He finished 15th overall on the 1974 Safari Rally in a Mitsubishi Gallant navigated by his wife Pauru. In the 1980 Marlboro Safari, Prem and Pauru retired behind the wheel of a Colt Lancer.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 23 – Timothy Cheruiyot continued to prove he is the new king of the 1500m race as he surged into the second consecutive win at the Wanda Diamond League, cruising to victory in Stockholm on Sunday evening in a time of 3:30.25.

Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen tried for the 11^th time to beat the World Champion, but the lanky Cheruiyot proved his impeccable mettle gliding to victory in a more composed run as compared to last weekend’s win in Monaco.

Cheruiyot, paced by training partner Timothy Sein stuck behind the rabbits in the opening two laps, creating a healthy gap between him and the leading pack.

Once Sein dropped off the pack with 500m to go, it was Cheruiyot in cruise control as he strode with his long legs, playing his cards close to his chest as he waited to see what Ingebrigtsen had in store.

At the bell, Cheruiyot went a gear up controlling the race, constantly glancing behind his shoulders to ensure there was no danger.

At the final bench, he picked in a superb final kick, leaving Ingebrigtsen and the chasing pack gasping for breath as he steered clear to pick victory and maintain a 100pc re-start to the Diamond League season.

Meanwhile, it wasn’t all rosy for the girls in the corresponding women’s race. Cheruiyot’s teammate at the Rongai Athletics Club Winny Chebet finished fourth despite looking strong for second in a race won by Britain’s Laura Muir.

The Briton struck a world leading time of 3:57.86 while Chebet clocked 4:02.58.

Hellen Obiri who won last weekend’s 5,000m race in Monaco in blistering pace seemed deflated as she could only finish 11^th in 4:10.53.

World silver medalist and Olympic Champion Faith Kipyegon pulled out of the race after winning in Monaco last weekend.

The post Unstoppable Cheruiyot surges to second Diamond League victory in Stockholm appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 24 – Though a definite date is yet to be set, there is a ray of hope for sportsmen and women in the country after the Ministry of Sports on Monday morning unveiled guidelines for the protocols that will be used to ease the return of sports following stoppages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed unveiled the guidelines in a virtual meeting that brought together stakeholders and ministry officials.

Stakeholders will now be given seven days to go through the document and give their opinions before a definite date is set for the return of contact and non-contact sporting activities in the country.

“Due to the nature of pandemic it was imperative to take a delicate and diligent process to satisfy the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) directives on the same including on public participation. I hope will be able to complete exercise as soon as possible and roll out a sports calendar,” CS Amina said during the meeting.

The Committee was chaired by Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Noor Hassan who remains optimistic that sports will return to the country soon.

“I want to thank the members of the committee for putting in the hard work to ensure that we have these guidelines ready. We have lost a lot of time this year and as you can see the school year has been lost and we don’t want to see the same for sports. We want to pick sports together and keep sports alive in the country,” Hassan stated.

Sports will be rolled out in bits and phases, just as has been witnessed in other countries where there has been resumption. This will include testing for players and officials in the first phase, return to individual training and eventually group training resumption.

Stakeholders in the meeting raised the issue of testing of players, asking the Ministry if it would be possible to waive or lower testing charges due to the costly nature.

Kenya is preparing for several sporting events for the last bit of the year. In October, the country will host the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour while national football team Harambee Stars is scheduled to face Comoros in home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.

The national basketball team is also set to start preparations for the Afrobasket Championship qualifiers which have been scheduled by NBA Africa for November.

The post Light at the end of the tunnel as Sports Ministry unveils return to sports protocols appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 24 – The Ministry of Sports says it will explore ways to partner with the counterparts from Health to help sports teams undertake COVID-19 tests that have been made mandatory for any teams to get back to action after the pandemic halted all activities in March.

The Ministry on Monday morning unveiled laid out protocols that will help ease the return of sports, though the expected dates are yet to be specified. Among the mandatory protocols is testing for all players, coaches, backroom staff and stadium personnel before they can even return to training.

With sports in the country lacking in financial muscles, federations and stakeholders have raised the issue of the cost of testing as one that might be a challenge for them and who will finance the same.

Chief Administrative Secretary Noor Hassan who chaired the advisory committee however said talks will be done with Afya House to see how they could help.

A COVID-19 test ranges from between Sh2,000 at the cheapest to Sh10,000 as the most expensive per person. The certificate issued after the test lasts for 14 days.

-Six steps for resumption of sports

Six steps have been set out for a return to contact, non-contact and water sports. For contact sports, the protocol will start with testing for all players and team personnel, thereafter, individual training will be allowed for a maximum of six people per session.

Once step two is satisfactory, teams will ease into step three which will allow up to a maximum of 10 people in training while skill drills and tactical drills will be allowed with no close contact. Indoor activities will be allowed for up to 4 people only.

Step four and five will then allow for a near full return to training with a maximum of 30 persons allowed per session and this includes both players and technical staff. Once these two steps are satisfied, then it will open up for a full return of training and competition.

This, however, will be subject to basis by basis approval by the Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

On when fans can be allowed back to stadia, the document states that; “Spectators will not be allowed into the playing fields unless all protocols have been achieved to level 6 of the guidelines for every sport discipline.”

Football, netball, basketball and handball have all been classed as low risk sports while Boxing, judo, Karate and rugby have all been classed as high risk which will require more stringent procedures before being allowed back.

Borrowing from the practice that has been implemented in other parts of the continent and several leagues abroad which have resumed, this might mean that the first step in the return of training which is testing might be concluded by early next month while training in small groups might resume mid next month.

-Three to four days of testing

Three or four days are set aside for testing while individual training can go on for seven days before a step up to group training.

Stakeholders will have up to next week Monday to make their written responses after which the ministry will compile everything, amend where necessary and roll out the program.

If this happens by at least a week later, then individual training might be given a go ahead from September 10. If this happens, group training of 10 might be allowed to start from September 17 before the numbers are increased a week later, September 24.

With some teams requiring at least a month of pre-season training, competitions might be given a go ahead to resume by probably mid or end of October.

The protocols have heavily borrowed on guidelines from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization as well as what other countries who have resumed sporting activities have implemented.

On competition days, there will be no press conferences allowed for the media and only flash interviews will be conducted. Competitors and personnel who are not competing will also be required to wear masks at all times while in the competition vicinity.

-Constant cleaning and disinfection

There will also be constant cleaning of objects and equipment. Where practical, it should be mandatory that cleaning and disinfection be carried out before, between use and after use. Guardrails and gates will also be no exception in the disinfection exercise.

Each competition venue must also have isolation, quarantine and medical rooms in the event of COVID-19 positive contact and there should be clear records of all the ins and outs of the venue for easier contact tracing.

The report also recommends that properly equipped and manned ambulances be stationed at the venue. All such ambulances to have adequate PPE.

On competition days, swapping of clothing, embracing and handshakes are also prohibited while everyone entering the venue will be subjected to temperature checks.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled to give an update on the existing containment measures on Thursday and this will also play a key role in whether or not the Ministry’s guidelines will come into force.

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SOWETO, South Africa, Aug 27 – Title-holders Mamelodi Sundowns edged leaders Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Soweto Thursday to draw level on 53 points at the top of the South African Premiership table.

Chiefs remain top on goal difference (plus 21/plus 16), but German coach Ernst Middendorp was dejected at full-time knowing his side once held a 10-point lead in the richest African league.

The result sets up a tense climax to a season halted for five months from March due to the coronavirus pandemic with South Africa having the fifth most Covid-19 cases in the world.

Chiefs face Bidvest Wits, Chippa United and Baroka in their run-in while Sundowns meet Baroka, Polokwane City and Black Leopards in a season that ends on September 5.

Harambee Stars ace Teddy Akumu came in at the start of the second half slotting in to midfield to give a measured performance, but his influence wasn’t enough as Chiefs dropped the three points.

Uruguayan Gaston Sirino scored the only goal on 34 minutes behind closed doors at Orlando Stadium in Soweto to throw the title chase wide open.

He fired past Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for this third league goal of the season after being set up by a brilliant back-heel from Themba Zwane.

Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane rejected the view of the South African media that the Soweto showdown was the title decider.

“Chiefs are still top of the table and goal difference could decide which club becomes champions,” he said.

“People say that we should win our remaining three matches comfortably because they are against three of the last four clubs in the table.

“These clubs are fighting for survival and will prove very tough opponents. I would rather face teams whose Premiership status is secure.

– ‘Nerve racking’ –

“We knew Chiefs would be a threat in the air and from set pieces and dealt well with those situations.

“It was nerve racking in the closing stages defending a one-goal lead, but that was our fault as we had sufficient chances to have scored at least twice more.”

Chiefs lacked their first-choice forwards with Serb Samir Nurkovic suspended and Colombian Leonardo Castro injured, and off-form Zimbabwean Khama Billiat was dropped.

Middendorp gambled by picking rarely used Keletso Sifama as a wide midfielder and the move backfired with the ineffective teenager taken off at half-time.

His place went to Billiat, who has scored only once in the Premiership this season and wasted a late chance to equalise when he headed over from close range.

“We spent virtually the entire second half camped in Sundowns’ half and did not take several great scoring chances,” lamented Middendorp.

“Now we must prepare for our next match against Wits, who are unbeaten in six games since the league restarted.”

Chiefs have won a record 53 domestic trophies, but their last success came five years ago when they were crowned champions.

Meanwhile, fourth-place Wits and mid-table Bloemfontein Celtic preserved their unbeaten records since the restart by drawing 1-1 at the University of Pretoria.

Both goals came from first half penalties with Keegan Ritchie giving Wits an early lead that Celtic captain Ndumiso Mabena cancelled.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Gor Mahia’s new signing Tito Okello has revealed that his immediate former teammates at Uganda’s Vipers SC Danny Sserunkuma and Innocent Wafula played a key role in convincing him to sign for the record Kenyan Premier League champions.

Okello arrived in the country on Wednesday and penned a three-year contract with K’Ogalo, and speaking to the club’s official website, he revealed the role Sserunkuma and Wafula, both former Gor men played in seeing him switch over to Nairobi.

“Of course, I had always wanted to come but given that I had the luck of playing alongside Dani at Vipers in Uganda and that he is a good friend, it was wise for me to ask him because I knew how much respect he commands around here,” Okello told Gormahiafc.com.

“He told me the club invests heavily in quality midfield players. And with that, a striker gets the tools to score many goals. Innocent Wafula too was full of praise for the club and told me I will enjoy my time here. He told me the fans want nothing but goals and wins so I am ready for that,” adds Okello.

The Ugandan arrives at the club as a direct replacement of another Ugandan, Juma Balinya who exits the club after barely completing a season, having struggled to convince.

Okello has his work cut out at a club where demands for a performance are non-negotiable and he believes he has what it takes to succeed.

“I know what awaits me here. It is difficult to be drafted into a team as a foreigner. It is even more difficult when you are a Ugandan joining a team that has a record of success from Ugandans. But it is our job as footballers to meet the expectations of the fans. And that is what drives me,” further stated the 24-year old.

Gor Mahia are in the process of rebuilding the team following the exit of several players.

Keeper Fred Odhiambo and winger Boniface Omondi have crossed over to Wazito FC, defensive kingpin Joash Onyango has decamped to Simba SC while skipper Kenneth Muguna and defender Charles Momanyi are still stalling on new contracts.

However, club chairman Ambrose Rachier has promised that the club will work to set up a competitive team ahead of the new season.

“The club has worked with the technical bench to identify players to strengthen the club. While the recruitment process has been challenging due to the Covid-19 challenge, the club has however managed to recruit players to replace those departing and the new players are set for unveiling soon,” Rachier said.

The post How Sserunkuma, Wafula convinced Tito Okello to sign for Gor Mahia appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Having come 0.17 seconds close at the season-opening Monaco leg of the Wanda Diamond League, Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon has set her sights on breaking the 1,000m World Record, coincidentally on the same stadium it was set in 1996.

Kipyegon has been confirmed as one of the cast members in the race in Brussels, the third stop of the restructured Diamond League calendar.

Kipyegon clocked 2:29:15 to win the race in Monaco and taking her to the second all time list in the race. But as she prepares for her second race of the season, the 26-year old will have one eye on history.

She passed over the possibility of racing at the second season meet in Stockholm last weekend, despite the existence of an opportunity to race in her preferred 1500m race.

At the same time, marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei will look to warm up her feet for the London Marathon after organizers confirmed she will be part of the field in the women’s one-hour run, a bid on the 18.517km world record.

Kosgei is preparing for the defense of her London title with the race confirmed for October 4. She will face stiff competition with World Champion Ruth Chepng’etich and Vivian Cheruiyot.

In Brussels, Kosgei who will be making her debut on track will come up against double world champion Sifan Hassan.

The post Kipyegon sets targets on 1,000m world record in Brussels Diamond League appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – The Kenya Rugby Union will distribute Sh500,000 (5,000 Euros) received from the Rugby Afrique Solidarity Fund to vulnerable players identified from the Nationwide League, referees and Union stuff to help them sustain the financial pressure brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Union on Friday announced it had received funding from the Continental body and they have in turn decided to help out the most vulnerable with the Nationwide, the Third Tier of Kenyan rugby specifically picked out.

“Through this initiative, KRU will offer support to 25 clubs in the Nationwide League, which is the lowest tier of club competition in the country. It will also offer support to the KRU Secretariat and Support staff as well as match officials, who largely go unrecognized,” said KRU’s Director of Rugby Thomas Odundo.

The Union will not send direct cash to players and staff, but has instead partnered with Mobile Futures and Naivas Supermarket to offer food vouchers.

The vouchers, estimated to be worth around Sh4,000 can only be redeemed for foodstuff at any Naivas Supermarket outlet anywhere in the country.

“These digital vouchers through our technology will be locked for use to only Naivas Supermarket tills countrywide thus ensuring the beneficiaries not only get the best service, but also ensuring no misuse of the vouchers so that they are only used for essential groceries shopping,” said Mobile Futures CEO Raphael Marambii.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 28 – Record Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia are set to sign Burundian international Jules Ulimwengu and Cameroonian international Bertrand Ngafei , Capital Sports understand.

Ulimwengu is said to have already agreed personal terms with K’Ogalo and is on the verge of putting pen to paper and unveiled while Ngafei has been training with the side since early in the year.

“Ulimwengu was here last week and has agreed to become a Gor Mahia player. It is now only a matter of time before he is unveiled. Ngafei has been training with the team and to be honest he is a very good player and will be a worthy addition to the team,” a source close to the club stated.

Also in the team’s list of closed deals is Malawian international as well as Mathare United defender Andrew ‘Roma’ Juma who is set to fill the void left by Joash Onyango who left for Simba SC in Tanzania.

Western Stima’s youthful prodigy Benson Omala has also agreed in principle to become a Gor Mahia player same as John Ochieng from Chemelil Sugar

Gor Mahia on Friday morning unveiled Ugandan Tito Okello and his arrival is set to begin a flurry of signing activity for the 19-time champions who are seeking to get to 20 league titles at the end of the new season.

The club has also in the evening unveiled former Kenya Under-20 international John Macharia who has returned home after a stint in Georgia.

Gor Mahia are also said to be trying to lure back striker Jacques Tuyisenge who left Angolan giants Petro Atletico after just one season.

“They are really trying to get Jack back but the challenge is Simba are also trying to get him. Infact they wanted to sign him before he left for Angola. I think it will be a bit difficult for Gor because of the money Simba are giving and most probably, Jack will opt to go there,” a source told Capital Sports.

At the same time, the club is set to conclude talks with skipper Kenneth Muguna to extend his contract despite interest from several quarters. Muguna has appeared in the club’s commercial advertisements with new sponsor Betsafe, signs that he is considering staying.

Gor Mahia are looking to rebuild the side with several exits. Kepeer Fredrick Odhiambo and winger Boniface Omondi have left for Wazito while Onyango left for Simba.

They have already signed City Stars’ keeper Levis Opiyo.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – The 2020 edition of the Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon, initially scheduled for October 25 has been cancelled by organizers due to uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a ban on public gatherings in force in the country as a containment measure to mitigate the spread of the virus, sponsors Stanrard Chartered have made the decision to call off the annual race for the first time in 17 years.

“Our consultations with Athletics Kenya and the Ministry of Sports clearly indicated that we would not be able to plan for a physical event with any certainty. We have therefore made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon,” Chairman of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon Local Organising Committee, Peter Gitau said.

He added; “This was not an easy decision to make. We have held the marathon annually for 17 years, and 2020 was to be no different. However, the depth and scale of COVID – 19 is unprecedented and remains hard to predict.”

Gitau also mentioned that they had thought of organizing the event virtually, just as it happened with the cancelled Lewa Marathon in July, but could not implement it as its success still required the majority of participants to leave their homes, a move that could compromise COVID-19 preventive measure protocols.

Last year, the Marathon attracted over 17,000 participants and raised over Sh30mn towards the community investment programme, FutureMakers, which provides youth in need with education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – KCB RFC sevens coach and former Kenya international Dennis Mwanja is a step closer from being named as the Shujaa head coach, according to sources at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU).

Mwanja is one of the local coaches who had applied for the job after the Union parted ways with New Zealander Paul Feeney who had returned home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in April.

“Majority of the board have settled on Mwanja and the announcement is imminent anytime soon,” the Capital Sports source stated.

Former coaches Paul Murunga and Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu had also applied, but the latter was weighed down by the happenings at the Paris leg of the World Sevens Series in 2018 when the players concealed the Brand Kenya logo from their jerseys as protest for non-payment.

Former assistant coach Kevin ‘Bling’ Wambua did not apply for the role.

Mwanja, a former Shujaa assistant coach led KCB to the national sevens series circuit last year.

The post Dennis Mwanja for Kenya Sevens job? appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Tusker FC skipper and top scorer Timothy Otieno is set to complete a move to Zambian side Napsa Stars, joining his former teammate at Gor Mahia Shabaan Odhoji at the Lusaka based side.

Tusker Chief Executive Officer Charles Obiny has confirmed talks are at an advanced stage with the Zambian outfit.

“We have been in talks and possibly we will complete everything by close of business on Monday,” Obiny told Capital Sports.

Tusker head coach Robert Matano has also said he is aware of Otieno’s imminent exit from the Ruaraka-based club and has wished him the best, priding in guiding him to a top-scoring 201-20 season.

The forward who has also played for Posta Rangers is in Lusaka to close the talks and sign a deal to become an official Napsa player.

“Napsa has given me a better offer than what I had at Tusker and the fact that they will also play in CAF competitions next season, played a huge role in my decision to sign for the club,” Otieno told Nation Sport.

Napsa who finished second in the Zambian Premier League will make their debut in continental football next season as they will play in the CAF Confederations Cup.

At Napsa, Otieno will compete for a starting role with former Southampton FC forward Emmanuel Mayuka who joined the club at the start of the season.

The post Tusker skipper Otieno nabbed by Zambian side Napsa Stars appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Herbert Mwachiro and Lordvick Aduda were among those who presented their nomination papers on the deadline day for candidates wishing to vie for the Football Kenya Federation presidential seat ahead of the October 17 elections.

Aduda, who was one of the most vocal in criticizing the process seemed to have toned down, saying the contentious eligibility rules were amended and hence no reason to dispute the process.

However, former president Sam Nyamweya and former CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye skipped the deadline for presenting nomination papers.

“We still have so many things we do not agree with in this electoral process and that is why we will not be part of it. We are planning to go to the Sports Disputes Tribunal and we will give more details tomorrow,” Musonye said in a response to Capital Sports.

Journalist Boniface Osano and former AFC Leopards chair Dan Mule also presented their nomination papers as they look to unseat incumbent Nick Mwendwa who did not need to present his papers as he had already done so before the elections were cancelled.

The Sports Dispute Tribunal had cancelled the elections in March over the eligibility rules, after giving an okay to the entire process that included the electoral board’s re-composition.

FIFA however gave an okay for the Federation to re-organize the polls with the Electoral Board in turn amending the eligibility rules that made it easier for anyone to vie.

Meanwhile, former Nyanza National Executive Committee member Tom Alila also presented his papers and will vie for the same seat, but for the Nairobi region.

Issac Macharia also also presented his papers for the same seat while former Gor Mahia treasurer Sally Bolo presented her papers for the National Executive Committee women’s representative seat.

The Board will on Tuesday and Wednesday verify the list of candidates for the national seats and open a window of appeals between September 4-10.

The final list of candidates for national office and the Executive Committee will be published on September 11.

The County Elections are scheduled for September 19 with the elected officials then cleared to vote in the October 17 national polls.

The post Mwachiro, Aduda present nomination papers, Musonye, Nyamweya skip deadline appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 31 – Kenya’s 100m national record holder Mark Otieno hopes to put a hand on history by qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for next year, despite World Athletics lowering the qualifying time to 10.05.

Odhiambo’s current record stands at 10.14 but he remains optimistic he can hit the qualifying time.

“The Tokyo Olympics is one of my biggest targets. I went for the World Championships in 2017 and was unfortunate not to contest for Doha last year because of injury, but I managed to bounce back and go to the Africa Games in Morocco,” Otieno says.

He adds; “Now I am looking forward to the Olympics and become the first Kenyan to compete at the games in the 100m. I know that if I can run faster, I will definitely make it and it will be a door opening opportunity for more sprinters.”

While Kenya is known world over for long distance athletes, sprinters have seldom been associated with Kenya. Cavin Nkanata was the only Kenyan short distance athlete at the last Olympics in Rio in 2016.

“I will take a break to sit down and regenerate and start planning for the Olympics. I know the training will not be easy and I have to train knowing I should not be average,” he added.

He plans to close his season with the Nairobi leg of the World Athletics Continental Gold Tour scheduled for October 3 and is currently sharpening his fitness with gym work at the SGD Fitness Centre in the heart of the City Centre.

“That is my focus currently and I hope that I will be selected to compete. I am really happy knowing that at least I will not be ending my season without a race. I am grateful to World Athletics for considering Nairobi as a host and hopefully I can represent the country well and show that as sprinters we are also there,” Otieno stated.

His training has been hampered by the shutdown occasioned by government restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic which caused a stoppage of all sporting activities in the world from March.

But, the 27-year old says he has been forced to improvise to ensure he remains in tip top fitness condition ahead of the Continental Tour Meet in Nairobi.

“It has been very tough training especially because I couldn’t access track. But at least now I am grateful that I can access the gym and step up my training,” Otieno told Capital Sports after one of his sessions at the SDG Gym.

He added; “I have been improvising for my training. I went to a welder nearby and made some few training equipment and I also do go to Karura Forest to do some endurance and speed training at least to ensure that I am not caught off-guard when competitions come.”

What makes Otieno’s training so unique is that he has been training in Nairobi while his coach is based miles away in the United States but he notes that having done this for three years now, he is already used to the arrangement.

“We have been coordinating our sessions via emails. He sends me the programs to follow everyday and I send him videos of the workouts so that he can correct where I am doing wrong. It is interesting but I am okay and comfortable with it,” Otieno notes.

With his work cut out to go in search of the magic 10.05 to be in Tokyo, Otieno has vowed to step up and ensure he not only earns a place in Tokyo, but also lowers his own national record.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 2 – Gor Mahia’s new signing Benson Omala will weigh up his options when the new school calendar is released to know how he will juggle between his education and playing for the record Kenyan Premier League champions.

Omala, a form four student at Kisumu Day High School signed a five-year contract with the reigning league champions, moving from cash-strapped Kisumu side Western Stima.

The forward who shone to the limelight with his goal-scoring prowess at Stima says he will decide how to handle both depending on the return-to-school protocols Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha will unveil.

He was due to do his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at the end of the year, but the stoppages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has made this impossible.

At Stima, it was easier for him to juggle both as the team’s training ground, the Moi Stadium in Kisumu, was just across from his school.

Meanwhile, the 17-year old who became the youngest ever player to clinch the LG/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) player of the month award in December has set his sights on clinching the Golden Boot in the new season.

“Last season I was gunning for the golden boot but COVID-19 happened and spoilt everything. But for the new season, I want to start where I finished off last season and I know I will achieve my goals and become the top scorer,” Omala who scored eight goals for Stima last season stated, speaking after his unveiling.

He added; “There is no pressure playing for Gor. I played against them last season and scored but now, I want to start scoring for them. So there’s absolutely no pressure.”

Omala who is a product of the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Youth Tournament says he is delighted joining the record champions and he believes he is linking up with a title winning outfit, a move that will elevate him as a player.

“I feel happy to move from Western Stima to Gor Mahia. Gor is a big team in Kenya and many players would want to play here. I want to thank the chairman and the coaches for giving me the chance because many young players want to be here. I want to do my best on the pitch and score goals,”

“Scoring goals is in my blood and Gor fans should expect more from me,” a confident Omala further outlined.

Since the exit of Meddie Kagere and Jacques Tuyisenge, Gor have struggled to find an out and out top marksman but with the arrival of the young Omala, they can dream of another top scoring asset.

The post School not a problem as Omala sets Golden Boot target with Gor appeared first on Capital Sports.

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 3 – Five aspirants will walk into the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee (NEC) unopposed after the Electoral Board on Thursday evening published a preliminary list of candidates cleared for the October 17 polls.

Davis Chege (Eastern), Timothy Muriithi Nabea (Eastern), Enos Kweya (Western), David Bunei (Lower Rift) and Gabriel Mghendi (Coast) are set to be elected unopposed as they were the only ones to declare interest in the seats on the expiration of the deadline last Monday.

The Nairobi NEC seat has meanwhile attracted the highest interest with three candidates cleared to vie. Former Nyanza NEC member Tom Alila will battle to unsit incumbent Michael Ouma with Isaac Macharia also enlisted in the race.

In Nyanza, Western Stima chairman Laban Jobita has thrown his hat into the race and will contest for the position against incumbent Joseph Andere.

In North Eastern, AhmedQadar Mohamed and Mohamed Abdi Farah will vie for the seat while Bernard Korir and Nyongesa Masinde contest for the Upper Rift Valley seat.

The 10^th NEC seat will be the women representative seat where former Gor Mahia Treasurer Sally Bollo will vie for the position alongside Former Capital FM Sunday Football panellist Kerubo Momanyi and Margaret Omondi.

In the Presidential seat, incumbent Nick Mwendwa will be opposed by journalist Boniface Osano, former Deputy Chief Executive Officer Herbert Mwachiro, former Gor Mahia CEO Lordvick Aduda and former AFC Leopards chair Dan Mule.

The Electoral Board will open a week-long disputes and appeals process before the final list is drawn out on September 11.

The branch elections have been scheduled for September 19, slightly under a month before the national elections are held.

This is even as a section of contestants led by former president Sam Nyamweya and former CECAFA Secretary General Nick Musonye protested the process terming it as flawed and by-passed the deadline for submission of nomination papers.

The duo said they will head to the Sports Disputes Tribunal in a bid to stop the elections for a third time. SDT chair John Ohaga has told Capital Sports that there are already three cases before him pertaining to the elections.

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NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 3 – Kenyan Premier League side Tusker FC will hold a board meeting on Friday to discuss modalities of tackling the 2020/2021 Kenyan Premier League season in what is expected to be a tough campaign in the aftermath of the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ruaraka-based side are sponsored by Kenya Breweries Limited through its flagship brand Tusker and the alcoholic drinks manufacturer has been heavily hit by the lockdowns imposed by the government to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A source close to the club said Tusker should not expect to make big money signings due to the mere fact that the sponsor has more pressing issues to tackle as far as the business is concerned. However, the club should not be worried over fundamental support.

Bars and clubs have been closed since April and this has had a tough impact on the Brewers.

Chief Executive Officer Charles Obiny has confirmed to Capita Sport that the board will meet internally to discuss how to approach the new season.

“We will leave the issues about the company to the company but for us, we just want to plan on how we will approach the new season. We are waiting for the government to release the guidelines for returning to training then we can have further plans on the same,” Obiny told Capital Sport.

He has also disclosed that the team will work on a thinned squad, possibly due to the expected budget slashes.

“We are planning to have a small squad of a maximum of 25 players for the new season. Those are some of the modalities we will discuss in the meeting. We will also look at how we will approach the transfer window,” Obiny said.

Tusker have not lost many players yet, with the only exit being skipper and top scorer Timothy Otieno who has headed South, signing for Zambian top tier side Napsa Stars.

“Timothy’s contract was almost ending and we had to reach an agreement to let him go because he has served the club very faithfully and we never had problems with him. He also wanted to try out a new challenge and we let him go,”

“We will definitely work with the coach to identify a replacement as well as other players we might need to strengthen the team,” Obiny stated.

Meanwhile, the CEO has disclosed that the team is highly considering using the Kinoru Stadium in Meru as their homeground with the facility set to be completed by the end of the year as per directives from Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

Tusker had used the stadium as its home turf a few years back, but had to shift back to their Ruaraka base when it was closed for renovations. According to Obiny, Meru gives them a better opportunity to build a stronger fan base.

With the news of sponsorship coming in from gaming firm BetKing, Obiny hopes they can mitigate the possible budget cuts from the sponsor with the approximately Sh8mn they will receive annually from the new league partners.

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