Harambee Stars head coach, Bobby Williamson, during the team’s barren draw against Mauritius on Sunday, October 11, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 13 – Sadly, its becoming fashionable to condemn players and coaches whenever Harambee Stars fail to meet soaring expectations instead of placing failure at the doorstep of inept football authorities.

As much as the coach is responsible for selection and on-field tactics when the team takes to the field, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has thus far abdicated its role in ensuring Stars mount a sustained challenge to qualify for the 2017 AFCON and 2018 World Cup finals.

Last Wednesday, social media was abuzz in praise of Stars after their biggest away victory when they thrashed minnows Mauritius 5-2 in their 2018 World Cup preliminary round opener.

The beleaguered FKF wasted little time in congratulating the side having maintained studio silence when over 20,000 dispirited fans trooped out of Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium after losing 2-1 to Zambia in a 2017 AFCON qualifier on September 6.

The team went on to be held to a goalless draw in the return leg on Sunday to progress to the second round where fast-rising Cape Verde Island who impressed at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations await.

That aggregate win as a turning point for Stars is debatable especially after head coach, Bobby Williamson, reiterated the call for early preparations ahead the opening leg clash against Cape Verde set for November 9 in Nairobi.

“We need to get more organised to avoid a repeat of what happened in Mauritius where we had players turning out on the eve of the match. We are now meeting Cape Verde who are above us in the FIFA rankings and it’s going to be a tall order.

“But we will check them out, do our home work and hopefully we will get the boys organised to do the job and go through the group draw,” The Scotsman underlined after the stalemate.

The Scotsman who is increasingly cutting a frustrated figure was disappointed by the team’s shambolic preparations going into the first leg.

He was forced to do without key players, first choice keeper Arnold Origi (Lillestrome/Norway), defenders David ‘Calabar’ Owino (Zesco/Zambia) and Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United) and forward Jacob Keli (Nkana FC/Zambia) after FKF failed to cater for air travel to Port Luis.

It is reported Owino, Mandela and Keli showed up at the airport only to find promised tickets missing while Origi adamantly declined to honour his call up since he was yet to be reimbursed the monies he used to fly in for the Zambia game.

It is absurd in this digital era foreign based players still face the age-old embarrassing problem of bickering with the federation over air fare, unpaid allowances and lack of other basics such as adequate time with the squad.

Skipper Victor Wanyama (Southampton FC/England), Allan Wanga (Azam/Tanzania), Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum/Sudan) and Ayub Timbe (Lierse/Belgium) and Johanna Omolo (Antwerp/Belgium) linked up with the team at Port Luis on the eve of the match.

It was a replay of the unfortunate scenario ahead of the Zambia  encounter in Nairobi  where Kenya surrendered to leave them a mountain to climb at the Gabon finals after sliding from first to third in their pool.

Williamson, who has taken flak for tactical inadequacies in his last two home games, was left with little time with the overseas group leaving him to experiment with his squad.

In Port Luis, Kenya were lucky to face obliging opponents in Mauritius side that is ranked 37 places below them but things would have taken a catastrophic turn against a better organised side considering Williamson’s defence leaked two goals to the underdogs.

-Allowances call-

A day after Stars sailed through the federation through its mouthpiece, FKF Media, urged the Government to honour allowances and other related expenses to players and the technical bench to quell the simmering unrest among players and their coaches ahead of the clash against a side ranked 41st in the world and sixth in Africa.

Commissioner for Sports, Gordon Oluoch, clarified to Capital Sport the federation entered into agreement with the parent Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts to offset dues owing to the team’s players and technical bench whenever they play for the national team.

“I’m not privy to the details of the deal between the ministry and FKF but as far as home matches are concerned, monies raised from television rights and gate collections should go a long way in offsetting things like allowances and payment of air tickets,” he added.

The federation entered a sponsorship deal for Stars with pay television company, Star Times, while both Zambia and Mauritius games were aired live on another pay television provider, SuperSport who entered a contract with CAF media partners, Sport Five.

SuperSport signed two separates contracts with Sport Five, to air the games and to produce the matches for the rights holders and monies accruing from the broadcasts are channelled to CAF and finally to the federation for home fixtures.

FKF also receive annual grants from world body FIFA raising questions on financial probity in the local governing body that has failed to attract more corporate sponsors in a glaring vote against its leadership.

“The federation maintains that it is working closely with government to ensure that the allowances, air tickets and other related costs are paid by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts in keeping with its obligations as prescribed by the Sports Act 2013 and the Constitution of Kenya,” the statement read.

The simple term preparation is a mirage as far as Stars is concerned and the last time in living memory the team had a serious programme towards qualifying for a major final was in 2003 during the campaign to feature in the 2004 Tunisia AFCON finals.

Ironically, it is the last time Kenya dined at the high table of continental football after topping a group that had Cape Verde, Togo and Mauritius on 13 points from six games; losing once and drawing twice.

Since then, Togo and Cape Verde have featured either at the World Cup or AFCON with Kenya watching subsequent editions from the sidelines because the team has gone to games unprepared, fielding an inconsistent squad with the added disadvantage of lack of build up matches.

Its only three weeks before Stars face an acid test against Cape Verde and it remains a matter of hope, rather than belief FKF, whose top leadership are busy trying to secure another term in office, will change their ways and heed Williamson and Wanyama pleas for early preparations.

The federation is yet to roll out any plan of when local based players who have impressed in the Zambia and Mauritius games will go to camp under Williamson or thrash out an agreement with top flight managers, Kenyan Premier League towards the same.

Having made their AFCON debut in 2013, Cape Verde went a step further and progressed from the group stages and have stunned European giants, Portugal 2-0 in an international friendly played in March before they beat Libya 2-1 in their 2017 Nations Cup qualifier in September.

The Islanders will be seeking revenge when the two sides meet for the first time since 2003 when record scorer, Dennis Oliech scored the late winner in their 1-0 win to qualify for the 2004 AFCON finals.

Then Kenya beat them home and away, now, any result other than a loss will be a significant sign of progress.

Abel Kirui on his way to men’s marathon victory at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany. PHOTO/Latercera

AMSTERDAM, October 13- Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui will be looking to recapture the form that saw him triumph in Berlin in 2009 and Daegu two years later when he stands on the start line of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday.

Now 33, the Administration Police Chief Inspector will be having his first outing since over the classic distance since failing to finish at the Boston Marathon in April.

His last completed marathon was in Amsterdam 12 months ago, when he finished sixth in 2:09:45.

Kirui has not run under 2:08 since the 2012 London Marathon, just a few months before he returned to London and took the silver medal at the Olympic Games that summer, but believes his best days are far from behind him, despite a stress fracture in March 2013 which meant he was unable to defend his world title in Moscow.

“I’m so happy that my preparation is good. More than ever, I think I can challenge my personal best. I am going in the right direction,” commented Kirui, whose fastest marathon is 2:05:04 from when he finished third in the 2009 Rotterdam Marathon.

“I am thinking I can go for the course record (in Amsterdam), I am preparing to fight for the course record. I think that this time my body is OK and I am preparing without any stress or any problem,” he added.

The Amsterdam Marathon course record stands at 2:05:36 to his compatriot Wilson Chebet, from 2013, and the three-time winner Chebet – who was victorious in consecutive years between 2011 and 2013 – will be among Kirui’s rivals as he strives to regain his title.

Kirui also wants to do better than on his visit to Amsterdam last year.

“After coming through the challenges of injury (in 2013, when he didn’t run a marathon because of the stress fracture) the body was still building up but I suffered a stomach problem towards the end of last year’s race. It weakened my energy, but I still finished sixth and I saw the area that I need to concentrate on, from 37 to 42 kilometres.

“It (the injury in 2013) taught me that I have to listen to my body. At that time, I was a crazy runner!

“I lost the chance to represent Kenya in Beijing because I had no good results, so I hope a good result in Amsterdam will push me in my aim to represent Kenya at the Olympic Games.

“All being well, this is the road to Rio de Janeiro. I did not go to Moscow and not to Beijing, and it was very painful watching these races; but I’m still young enough to race in Rio and keep the flag of Kenya flying high, like they (his teammates) did in Beijing, showing the world that they are world-beaters.”

Among the other four names announced on Tuesday by the organisers of this year’s Amsterdam Marathon was the Ethiopia’s 31-year-old Markos Geneti, who will be the second fastest man in the field.

He set his personal best of 2:04:54 at the 2012 Dubai Marathon in 2012, where he placed third.

Geneti also finished second in last year’s Dubai Marathon in 2:05:13, the second fastest time of his career. Amsterdam will be his third marathon of 2015, having finished sixth in Tokyo in 2:07:25 and third in Warsaw in 2:08:11 earlier this year.

Geneti’s 33-year-old compatriot, Dadi Yami finished sixth in the 2012 Dubai Marathon in 2:05:41, which remains his personal best. His most recent marathon was in Seoul earlier this year, where he was fourth in 2:08:05.

The third of a trio of Ethiopians, Feyisa Bekele, is familiar with the Amsterdam Marathon having run what is also his personal best of 2:06:26 when finishing fourth.

However, having won in Seoul last year in 2:07:43, Bekele showed that he was not just a one hit wonder.

Kenya’s Eliud Tarus will be making his marathon debut but is an accomplished runner over shorter distances and can boast of a best of a half marathon best of 1:00:04.

In addition to Wilson Chebet, the race organisers have already announced that Kenya’s 2014 Amsterdam winner Bernard Kipyego will defend his title.

Khalid Aucho (foreground) training with Gor Mahia in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 13 – Gor Mahia assistant head coach, John ‘Bobby’ Ogolla has urged his charges to give 100 percent when they take on Kisumu outfit Palos FC in their Wednesday’s GOtv Shield Round of 16 clash at Kasarani.

Ogolla, is wary of a huge upset after seeing defending champions Sofapaka and fellow titans Tusker FC bundled out of the domestic cup competition by second tier sides, Administration Police and Nzoia United.

The three time back-to-back SportPesa Premier League champions are likely to miss services of lethal attacker Michael Olunga, Ugandan Godfrey Walusimbi, Burundian defender Karim Nizigiyimana and Rwandese left-back Abuoba Sibomana.

Olunga, could be rested after playing for Harambee Stars in their 2018 World Cup preliminary round qualifier against Mauritius, Walusimbi is injured while Nizigiyimana and Sibomana are away on international duty.

“Tomorrow’s (Wednesday) game against Palos will not be easy because small teams are the most difficult sides since you play with the unknown. If we take them lightly, they can shame us.

“Being a one off game, it can be disastrous if we don’t give our all. When you go to play a team like Tusker it’s motivating but a team like Palos by the time you wake up the game is over if you start badly,” the former Gor and Harambee Stars player outlined.

SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month for September, Meddie Kagere, is hoping to inspire his side keep their treble hunt alive but underlined they will not underrate their opponents.

“We always focus on one game at a time. I always rate all teams strong because when I’m facing them, I see them better than me and only consider them small when I win.

“We will take Palos match as serious as we have done with the rest,” the Ugandan born former Rwandese international underscored.

A win against Palos will seal a quarterfinals place as they look to claim the trophy they last clinched in 2012 under then head coach, Zdravko Logarusic, who is now with their bitter rivals AFC Leopards.

With Gor inching closer to another their historic milestone of finishing the season unbeaten, Ogolla hailed the class of 2015 as modern greats having wrapped the league without losing with four matches to go.

“I have played for Gor all that time and there is no season we went unbeaten but chances are high will finish the league unbeaten.

“We have crucial games remaining against Tusker who are not performing well but I know the game against us will not be easy the same with Sofapaka, Muhoroni Youth and Western Stima,” the Gor legend who  was nicknamed ‘six dollar man’, explained.

K’Ogalo will face Tusker in the KPL Top 8 knockout semi-finals in what will be revenge against the Brewers who eliminated them twice at the same stage in that competition.

Francis Kimanzi, who stepped down as Tusker FC coach on October 14, 2015. PHOTO/File

NAIROBI, October 14- Local giants Tusker FC’s hangover season staggered further on Wednesday when head coach Francis Kimanzi stepped aside from his role.

The UEFA-B coaching license-holder and former Harambee Stars boss decided to relinquish his position after a string of drunken results sunk to a new low last weekend when they were knocked-out of the GOTv Shield by lower division Nzoia FC.

Assistant coach, Leonard Odipo will be in charge of the team for the remainder of the season with club chairman, James Musyoki confirming to Capital Sport the former Harambee Stars tactician had not resigned.

“He has not quit the club since he has not tendered his resignation but it’s the good thing he has done since his working formula has failed to give us results.

“As a club we are concerned by the team’s performance this season but the problem is not necessarily him,” Musyoki explained the latest setback in the team’s nightmare season.

Boasting of an enviable squad by local standards and means far above the reach of domestic rivals, Tusker have appeared to consume their own brew in a wretched campaign where their expected SportsPesa Premier League title charge failed to fire as rivals Gor Mahia retained their crown.

Kimanzi, whose contract expires in December, was hired last season to reclaim the crown they last won in 2012 but even his magic could not rouse a group of talented and well paid players from their stupor as indiscipline took root within the squad.

Musyoki declared the club will not tolerate rotten apples in the team after forward and top league scorer, Jesse Were and winger, Danason Kago were suspended from the national team after being accused of sneaking out of camp.

“We are disappointed by some of our player’s behaviour because if someone calls you and tells you negative things about them, it’s something we cannot condone but we are in discussion with them,” the chairman added.

Besides the pair, teammate Osbourne Monday was embroiled in a tiff with the Anti-Terror Police Unit but later in August but was later cleared when his phone was reportedly used by a friend to call Al Shabab operatives in Somalia.

That was followed by Kago being accused by his expectant live-in girlfriend of assault days before he was due to play for Stars in a 2017 AFCON qualifier against Zambia on September 6 that saw him arrested and released from the team camp.

On the eve of the Chipolopolo game, the same player Were and another were caught up in lurid claims of a night of debauchery in the team hotel where allegations of a sex orgy were made but no arrests were made.

Their limp 5-4 exit on penalties to Nzoia in the Shield last Sunday was the last straw for the tactician who led slum boys Mathare United to league glory in 2008 before Stars to the last qualifying group phase of the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

Kimanzi, who is the most qualified coach in East Africa, went seven matches without a win in the league to see them drop sixth on 38 points with three to wrap up their season.

The former Mathare United and Sofapaka tactician joined Tusker November 2013 with the hopes of reclaiming the KPL title they last won in 2012 and the Shield that has evaded them for 22 years.

Odipo’s first task will be on Sunday when they travel to treble-chasing K’Ogalo in the first leg of the KPL Top 8 semis before aiming to end the season on a high when they take on Sony Sugar, Gor and AFC Leopards in the league.

Khalid Aucho (foreground) training with Gor Mahia in Nairobi on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 14 – Ali Abondo rediscovered his scoring touch to sink a brace as SportPesa Premier League champions, Gor Mahia, dismissed third tier side Palos FC 4-2 to storm to the quarter-finals of the GOtv Shield.

The six-goal thriller played at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, saw Harambee Stars forward, Michael Olunga and defender Harun Shakava, also on target to complete the rout with  Calvin Omanga also notching a double in reply for the Kisumu based minnows.

Gor head coach, Frank Nuttall gave non regulars, captain and keeper Jerim Onyango, Ernest Wendo, Erick Ochieng, Abondo and George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo a start and he was elated with the win despite the fact Palos gave the titans a scare.

“We deserved to score four goals because we had possession and created chances. To come out winners in a cup competition and go through to the next round was the main idea.

“It’s not necessarily we will be winning games with clean sheets because today we had a new defence. I’m pleased with their performance,” the Scotsman gushed after surviving a spirited display from the massive underdogs.

His opposite number, Paul Ogai, hailed his charges after giving a good account against a team that has swept all before them in clinching a third successive top flight crown.

“My players did their best since we were playing against the champions. We scored two goals and we didn’t deserve to concede two. The chances we created shows the boys have taken it to the next level so we will continue on improving,” he mused.

With full backs, Burundian Karim Nizigiyimana and Rwandese, Abuoba Sibomana out on international duty, Nuttall deployed midfielder Ochieng in the unfamiliar left back position as Olunga and Kagere maintained their twin striking role.

Abondo gave K’ogalo the early lead in the second minute when he volleyed home Olunga’s flick-on from deep midfield to give the overwhelming favourites the best of starts.

However, the flood of goals and any thoughts of steamrolling to the quarterfinals were soon dispensed with by their dogged lower division opponents.

Geoffrey Ochieng saw his ferocious long range shot hit side netting before their raids in Gor territory paid-off in the18th when Omanga fashioned a neat cross goal finish off a Keneth Mugambi defence-splitting pass for the leveller.

The Kisumu outfit threatened to upset the titans but Onyango produced a stunning save to deny Palos captain, Edwin Clifford’s stinging effort from the edge of the box.

Gor were roused into action and Olunga restored their lead at the half hour mark on the counter after his strike partner,  Kagere, provided the assist as the leading scorer squeezed a low shot on target for a 2-1 half time lead.

Abondo added his second five minutes after the breather when he picked Wendo’s pass to turn and smash past Palos keeper, Geoffrey Were, for Gor’s third.

Were then denied Odhiambo who unleashed a cracker in the 58th with substitute Eddy Balaa missing a chance to make a game of the contest after he did well to beat Onyango in the K’Ogalo goal but could not reach the ball to turn it back into an empty net.

Palos mounted pressure when they reduced the deficit in the 66th after Omanga picked Mugambi’s pass from the left to tap past Onyango for his double.

Bernard Ochieng then denied Gor when he cleared Olunga’s shot off the line from a corner brought in by Abondo.

Harun Shakava broke Palos hopes of mounting the comeback  when the Stars defender ghosted in the near post to finish off Abondo’s corner in the 73rd for the decisive strike.

Sofapaka’s Collins Shivachi (center) celebrates after equalising against AFC Leopards. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, October 14 – Collins Shivachi salvaged a point for Sofapaka in a 1-1 stalemate with AFC Leopards as the struggling bigwigs slugged it out in a SportPesa Premier League clash at Nairobi City Stadium on Wednesday.

Batoto Ba Mungu trailed Leopards on the stroke of half time when Ivan Anguyo converted from the spot but Shivachi came to their rescue after curling in a free-kick for the equaliser in the 65th minute.

It was a contest that underlined their underwhelming campaigns this season since none could fashion the bragging rights by picking maximum points on the day having seen their title charge dissipate.

Sofapaka, who stretched their winless run in the league to six successive matches, left the more wounded side after failing to exact revenge against cash-strapped Ingwe who silenced them 1-0 with a make shift team in the first leg.

David Ouma’s side further rued a missed penalty in the 50th having allowed Leopards to dominate the first 20 minutes with Lamin Diallo getting an early chance but delayed to shoot allowing defender, David Okello to clear the ball.

Ingwe had an opportunity to open the scoring but Bernard Mang’oli fired over from a set piece after Ezekiel Odera handled the ball just outside the box.

Sofapaka found their feet with halftime looming but Miamey Mbakiye and Shivachi blazed over with only the keeper to beat.

Leopards went ahead moments later after Odera handled the ball inside the box with Anguyo tucking in the resultant spot kick for the halftime advantage.

The first 10 minutes of the second half was end to end but Sofapaka should have levelled the scores in the 50th after Israel Emuge handled the ball in the area but Mbakiye spurned the penalty after aiming straight at Ingwe keeper, Lucas Indeche.

However, their opponents, mirroring what they have often done this season, wilted and an equaliser was inevitable when Shivachi  beat Indeche from an 18-yard free-kick.

Okello denied substitute Victor Omune the chance to seal the win for the Zdravko Logarusic side in the 89th.

AK vice-president, David Okeyo, addresses the media on Thursday, October 15, 2015 in Nairobi. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 15 – Athletics Kenya (AK) has directed marathoners keen on 2016 Olympic Games selection to run their last race in February to be considered for the August 5-21 global showpiece in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

The announcement was made on Thursday by AK vice-president in charge of Administration and Competition, David Okeyo who said it will help the federation prepare the team adequately.

This, he added, was an effort to seek an end to poor performances over the ultimate distance at recent international events.

AK’s latest decree potentially rules out star circuit marathoners who have already been booked for prestigious city races in the spring season in Europe and America.

The first three World Marathon Majors (WMM) races of 2016 in Tokyo, London and Boston are in the early part of the year.

The Stanchart Dubai (January 22) that is outside the WMM is the only big race that fits the criteria with the Marathon Trials set for February 14.

Tokyo (February 28) the classic Boston and London marathons falling on April 18 and 24 in that order fall out of the tentative date for the Trial whose venue is yet to be determined.

“Why is it that we have good marathon runners who perform well in city events yet when we go to Championships and Olympics we don’t do well?

“We are coming up with a plan and policy which is being developed and as soon as we agree, we will let you know the best way we will select the marathoners.

“The marathoners who would like to participate in Olympics must run their last race in February and the rules that will follow will be developed by the Board and technical officials,” Okeyo declared when launching the 2015/16 calendar of events.

In recent years, AK has used the spring Marathon Majors and other IAAF Gold Label events of Paris (set for April 3) and Rome (April 10) to select the marathon squad.

However, most top circuit marathoners of the time approached declined invitations to run at the Osaka 2007 and the subsequent Berlin 2009 Worlds where Luke Kibet and Abel Kirui won the men’s as Catherine Ndereba and Edna Kiplagat bagged the women gold medals.

Dickson Chumba lead his compatriots to a podium sweep as World Half Marathon champion, Florence Kiplagat won the corresponding women race at the last WMM in Chicago last weekend.

After poor showing at the August Beijing Worlds where record holder, Dennis Kimetto and his predecessor Wilson Kipsang dropped out of the men’s event as unheralded Helah Kirop battled for silver in the women’s; the federation took the blame and promised to change the selection criteria.

The late Samuel Wanjiru remains the only Kenya with an Olympics marathon title when he set the men’s record of 2:06:32 at the Beijing Games in 2008.

London champion, Eliud Kipchoge and Kiplagat who is a two-time Berlin winner are some of the star marathoners who were keen on the Olympics.

New York champions, Kipsang who won bronze at the 2012 Games in London behind Kirui and Mary Keitany, fourth in the women’s race at the last Olympics are also interested in the quadrennial global sporting carnival.

Additionally, AK will conduct Olympics Trials for Race walking team on February 21 with Okeyo noting Kenya has potential to win a medal in the event that has been dominated by African champion and record holder, Grace Wanjiru (women) and veteran David Kimutai (men).

“We have also found out that we can win medals in the Walk so we will have Trials which will be held either here if we manage to bring three countries as required by IAAF or take them to one of the challenge meetings to compete and qualify for Olympics,” The Confederation of Africa Athletics vice-president, stated.

The track and field Trials for the Olympics will be held from July 29 to August 2 at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.

At the same, the 2015/16 Cross Country season will include relays that will run concurrently in four of the seven domestic circuit meetings.

The relays will include two senior men and women teams who will tackle a 2km loop course.

Other changes made by IAAF will see both the senior men and women compete over 10km while junior girls and boys will run 6km and 8km in that order.

Okeyo urged regional branches that will host the four premier events to start early preparations to enable them select a strong team for 2016 Africa Cross Country Championships set for March 12 in Yaounde, Cameroon.

KEY TRIAL DATES

Marathon Trials for Team Kenya to Olympics – February 14

Race Walk Trials for Team Kenya Olympics – February 21

National Championships/ Africa Championships Trials – May 26-27 Kasarani Stadium

Trials World Junior – June 21-22.

Track and field trials Olympics – July 29- August 2 – Kasarani

Athletics Kenya Vice-President, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei when he adressed a news conference in Nairobi on October, 15, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 15 – The suspension of athlete’s management firms; Rosa & Associati and Volare Sports are still in force despite the lapse of the initial six months ban period.

Athletics Kenya (AK) vice-president, Lieutenant General (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, made this announcement on Thursday at a news conference in Nairobi .

Rosa and Volare were suspended in late April to facilitate a probe into suspected cases of doping in their camps and Tuwei said the federation will only make a final decision when investigations are complete.

Four former Rosa clients, Matthew Kisorio, women marathon star, Rita Jeptoo, Agatha Jeruto and Jepkoech Jepkorir have either served or are serving international bans for doping violations from 2012 to this year.

Thus far, no one from the Volare camp that boasts of the world’s top circuit marathoners such as record holder, Dennis Kimetto, predecessor, Wilson Kipsang and New York and Boston course record holder, Geoffrey Mutai has been sanctioned for proscribed substances.

“We will review their suspension according to information we receive from the investigations report. We are not the only ones doing the investigations, we have asked for support from other Government agencies and therefore, before we make a decision we must look at where we are.

“It looks like the investigations will go beyond six months so we will only take further action after it’s done because as AK, we have not finished interviewing one of them,” Tuwei underscored.

It is understood a director of Rosa, Federeico Rosa, was in the country last week and it is not clear whether he was interviewed by AK after the company announced last week it had parted ways with Italian coach, Claudio Berardelli, who later denied he’d been fired to state he had opted not to renew his contract.

Berardelli was the coach of the four Rosa runners who have fallen foul of anti-doping rules.

Doping cases have spiked in Kenya in recent years sparking international concern and calls to take drastic action.

A fortnight ago, AK announced African women 800m bronze winner, Jeruto, who was a hopeful for Beijing and road racer, Josephine Jepkoech Jepkorir had been banned for two and four years from the sport.

Both tested positive for Norandrosterone and came hot on the tail of two Kenyan sprinters, Joy Zakari and Francesca Koki being provisionally suspended after their A-Samples returned adverse results at the August IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

Tuwei, said they are working closely with the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya to criminalise doping that tainted Kenya’s sterling performance in Beijing after sprinters Zakari and Koki failed tests conducted at the team hotel in China.

“The biggest challenge last season was the doping issue. We are hoping to end it in the new season. We have written to some of the counties mentioned by the athletes who have tested positive informing them that we need  to work with them closely and medical institutions mentioned so that we can deal with it through the legislation and law.

“If IAAF and World Anti Doping Agency have accepted it is an offence to deal with illegal substances, then it should be made an offence in the country just like other nations so if somebody is found guilty then as soon as AK finish with the individual then the Government should take over. We would like to see the punishment go beyond what AK and IAAF do.

“We are reviewing all the foreign coaches in the country to see whether they have the necessary requirements,” the vice president asserted.

Gor Mahia forward, Meddie Kagere poses with the SportPesa Premier League Fans Award for September on October 15, 2016 in Nairobi. PHOTO/Courtesy.

NAIROBI, October 15 – Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere became the second SportPesa Premier League star to bag both the fans and journalist monthly awards.

The Ugandan-born former Rwandese international tallied 1689 votes in a ten-day poll conducted on soka.co.ke to beat AFC Leopards Lamine Diallo (431), Nakuru All Stars youngster Boniface Akenga (118), Ulinzi Stars custodian Francis Ochieng (59) and Chemelil Sugar FC striker Meshack Karani (39).

Kagere who was instrumental in K’Ogalo’s 4-2 GOTv Shield victory over lower division side, Palos FC on Wednesday, thanked his teammates and the fans that voted, pointing out that he wasn’t expecting to win the award since he’s a foreign player.

He follows teammate Ali Abondo who collected both awards in March when they were launched to run in parallel at the beginning of this season.

“I thank God for this award though I wasn’t really hoping to win it. As a foreign player who have to work harder and that is what I have been doing,” Kagere said shortly after he was presented with the award,

“I’m a very ambitious man and I always focus on the future. Better things are on the way for me. I joined Gor from a European team because I wanted to learn more. The SPL is tough and you have to work harder since it’s very physical,” the striker with 13 league goals.

“Awards open doors for players and I urge the rest to continue pushing and all will be well,” he added.

Kagere is fifth winner of the fans accolade with Paul Kiongera, Jacob Keli, Victor Ali Abondo and Bernard Mangoli having won it in the past.

He received Sh10,000 and a plaque for this accolade having been named the September winner of the SportPesa/SJAK Player of the Month on Tuesday.

“Winning the Premier League unbeaten was my biggest achievement and I’m hoping we will not lose the remaining two games,” Kagere, 29, who is fired up to win the treble with Gor said.

Gor Mahia players applaud their supporters after their derby with AFC Leopards  match was called off in August. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 16- League champions, Gor Mahia, will continue their treble chase on Saturday with a tasty first-leg KPL Top 8 semi-final clash against wounded Tusker FC at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

The Brewers come to the battle of the titans intoxicated from managerial upheaval that saw head coach, Francis Kimanzi, ‘step aside’ from his role while Gor are keen to atone for a 2-1 aggregate defeat to their rivals at the same stage last season.

K’Ogalo who wrapped a third successive league crown last month are also seeking to protect an unbeaten run on home soil this season; lower division Palos FC from Kisumu their latest casualties with a 4-2 thumping in the GOTv Shield Round of 16 on Wednesday.

Stand in Tusker FC coach, Leonard Odipo, faces a baptism of fire against a side that can flick on the style at the touch of a button, motivated to pursue history as treble winners but he has the players to end Gor’s barnstorming run.

Claims of player sabotage against Kimanzi, the most qualified coach in East Africa with a UEFA B licence, have wafted from Tusker’s brewery and the manner Odipo’s boys acquaint themselves to the might of K’Ogalo will be a pointer towards veracity of the claims.

He will be missing the injured Brian Osumba and David Oyirwoth but the team has underwhelmed this season and still hurting from last weekend’s embarrassing Shield exit at the hands of lower tier Nzoia FC.

However, they possesses enough ingredients to churn out a potent brew for the three-peat domestic league champions with added incentive of taking home the bragging rights of being the first team to breach the champions.

-Daring raid-

Tusker FC forward, Jesee Were celebrates after netting a goal. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

Further, local media reports on Friday alleged Tusker have set in motion a daring raid to snap up head coach Frank Nutall from Gor, further inflaming the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs that between them, share 35 league titles.

Nutall and his assistant, Frank Ouna, stayed away from training Thursday to protest against non-payment, fuelling the allegations Tusker want to seize advantage and prise the pair away from the Green Army.

Nevertheless on previous occasions this term, Gor has braved financial woes to triumph, the glaring example being their dizzying run to the CECAFA Kagame Cup regional finals having travelled under a cloud of uncertainty due to lack of funds.

Besides the imposing forward line of top scorer, Michael Olunga and Meddie Kagere, Burundian internationals; Karim Nizigiyimana and Abouba Sibomana are back in the country from international duty and expected to start after missing out against Palos.

The televised match that starts at 4pm local time (+3GMT) will be preceded by the first-leg clash between Sofapaka, another giant that has limped through the season riddled by a crippling financial crisis and the rapidly improving Sony Sugar who ward off the threat of relegation after a poor first leg with a storming run in the second half of the SportPesa Premier League.

The 2009 champions came from behind to hold yet another faltering force, AFC Leopards in the collision of stuttering titans midweek in a league tie that ended 1-1 and will fancy their chances of victory.

Sofapaka and Sony exchanged victories in the Premier League but the sugar millers under the watch of Salim Babu, come with the sweet aftertaste of mowing Ulinzi Stars in the quarter-final as they plot another giant-killing act.

The return legs will be played on November 4.

Athletics Kenya vice-presidents, David Okeyo and Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei during a news conference on October 15, 2015 in Nairobi. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 16 – The Government is yet to approve the budget for Nairobi’s 2017 IAAF World Youth Championships holding back the event’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) from starting preparations.

Athletics Kenya (AK) vice-president, retired Lieutenant General Jackson Tuwei, announced they are behind schedule as they needed to hit the ground at the beginning of the year.

“We have met six times as the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and we have identified and know exactly what we want to do but the only thing holding us back is the budget which we have now worked on and presented it to the ministry.

“It’s being presented to the treasury in Mombasa and as soon as it’s approved, we will go in full force but we are behind schedule,” Tuwei explained.

Kenya will start from scratch in preparing for the biennial competition opened to athletes aged below 17 years since they lack basics like equipment and an international standard warm-up track as required by the governing body IAAF in the chosen venue.

With the proposed Nyayo National Stadium yet to be renovated, Cabinet Secretary for Sports Arts and Culture, Dr. Hassan Wario said the event could be moved to Kasarani but Tuwei declared they will have to follow the normal procedure.

“Last year when we went to present the bid in Monaco, we were with the minister and we had indicated Nyayo National Stadium so if there is going to be any change then we will have to inform IAAF.

“We will discuss with the minister and LOC to see the best way of going about it,” Tuwei who is tipped to replace long serving AK president, Isaiah Kiplagat asserted.

As a host, the federation is keen on fielding participants in all the events with plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Education Science and Technology to identify athletes aged between 13 and 14 put in camp, one and half year before the event.

“We have a strategy in place where we have agreed to have both our budgets including that of the ministry of education need to get slightly more than normal so that we can put them in the camp after identifying them not only in schools but also in the region,” the retired Lieutenant General, stated.

-Kiplagat honour-

Meanwhile, the AK Executive Committee is planning a grand send-off for long-serving president, Isaiah Kiplagat who has served for the federation for 40 years after he hinted at ending his tenure.

“We are organising a farewell for Kiplagat who has been the president for this federation for a long time. We want to have a  befitting ceremony for somebody who has worked for athletics over 40 years.

“He has achieved a lot therefore in our next Executive Committee meeting we will discuss on how we can fete him because we are thinking either of regarding him as honorary president,” Tuwei, said.

National sevens team captain Andrew Amonde in action during a training session on 20th September 2013 at RFUEA ground.Photo/CHRIS OMOLLO

NAIROBI, October 16 – Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has renewed its partnership with Samurai Sportswear that will see the firm kit all national teams, their technical benches and officials.

The English apparel firm won the tender despite strong competition from rival brands with the national sevens team set to be the first beneficiaries of their new generation range of kit dubbed The Iconix, during next month’s Africa Olympics qualifiers in South Africa.

“We are proud to have won the tender and to be continuing this partnership with the KRU. We have made no secret of our commitment to Kenyan rugby not just in the last three or four years but for more than a decade now.

“We faced strong competition but we are thrilled that the KRU has chosen to extend our relationship. There is no hiding from the fact that Kenyan rugby has had a challenging year both on and off the field, but we are excited by the steps taken to move forwards and we firmly believe that rugby in Kenya, both at elite level and within the grass-roots game, has a bright future, “Samurai Managing Director, Terry Sands stated.

KRU Chief Executive Ronald Bukusi said, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Samurai as our official kit suppliers. This is a good deal for the KRU and for Kenyan rugby as a whole and we believe that by working closely with Samurai we can continue to create playing and off-field kits that both the players who represent their country and the loyal supporters of Kenyan rugby can wear with pride.”

The shirt benefits from Samurai’s exclusive high performance 4D fabric Performex™ fabric, and anti-pinch underarm panelling for maximum performance and ultimate comfort.

The Union will contract players for the new season after title sponsor Kenya Airways renews their deal.

Sofapaka players celebrating after Collins Shivachi equalised against Sony Sugar on October 17 at Afraha Stadium. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.

NAKURU, October 17 – Struggling Sofapaka came from behind twice to deny visitors Sony Sugar as both sides settled for a 2-2 stalemate in the first leg of the Kenyan Premier League Top 8 at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

The draw was to Sony’s advantage who got their away goals from Byron Odiaga and Victor Ademba while Ekhaliana Ndolo and Collins Shivachi netted for Sofapaka.

The first half saw all the goals scored from set pieces with three coming from corner kicks as the Sugar Millers dominated the proceedings.

Unmarked Odiaga struck first for Sony in the 11th minute after turning in from the corner before Ndolo levelled for Batoto Ba Mungu at the half hour mark after powerfully nodding home a Fuadi Ndayisenga corner.

Towards the breather, both sides lost concentration at the back to see two goals scored in a space of three minutes with Ademba heading in a Sekayombya Andrew corner in the 43rd to restore the lead.

A thunderbolt free kick by Shivachi at the stroke of half time ensured Sofapaka equalise for a 2-2 score line at the breather.

No goals were scored in the last half despite the visitors resuming a re-energised side to pin down Batoto Ba Mungu but a good build up started by Marwa Chamberi went to a waste after keeper, David Okello denied Robert Omunuk from a tight angle.

Veteran forward, John Baraza could give the 2009 SportPesa Premier League champions the winner three minutes to the final whistle but the captain failed to become the hero of the match when  delayed to pull the trigger from close range for defender to clear the danger.

Both sides will be seeking to win the annual knock out tournament for the first time but its Batoto Ba Mungu who wants it more since its the only silverware they are chasing this season.

Sony will host the second leg in a venue and date to be decided by organisers.

Meddie Kagere cerebrating after scoring in their past SportPesa Premier League match. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya.

NAKURU, October 17 – Sportpesa Premier League winners Gor Mahia kept their treble chase alive after holding champions Tusker FC 2-2 in their KPL Top 8 semi-final first leg clash played at Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

Stand in coach, Leonard Odipo failed to master what Francis Kimanzi who stepped aside failed to do but a late strike from Eugine Asike gave him a sigh of relief.

Ali Abondo found the back of the net in the 11th minute for the opener before providing for Meddie Kagere who converted from the spot in the 38th.

Skipper, Jesse Were pulled one back for the Brewers in the 53rd after after Gor’s defence was caught off guard.

K’Ogalo head coach, Frank Nuttall who deployed midfielder Eric Ochieng to unusual center back position in the absence of defender Rwandese, Abuoba Sibomana, said the two away goals will motivate them in the second leg.

“Given many different circumstances, we are pleased to get away goals but we are disappointed we did not win but we can do better to defend well in the second leg. We had a couple of chances and we utilized them so im relativelyhappy.

“Our two left players are injured so we tried to find solution and given all that, many things must be considered. We have advantage but we will be looking to make sure we go throughout that tie,” the Scotsman underscored after the pulsating match.

Odipo hailed his charges for the fighting spirit that saw them deny K’Ogalo maximum points.

“Its a fair result and good fight from the boys considering the environment and the demands that were in the game. We had a plan in the first half but unfortunately it didn’t click so we had to change the strategy that worked in the second half,” Odipo, asserted.

The result left K’Ogalo with another opportunity to break their two year jinx against the Brewers who bundled them out of the cup competition at the same stage.

Gor were lucky not to concede an early scare after Harun Shakava handled Kevin Kimani corner in the box but referee, James Kagera failed to hear Tusker’s plea even as replays in the live televised match showing the Harambee Stars defender’s right hand in contact with the ball.

Tusker had another chance in the seventh minute but Were fluffed the opportunity from close range when he failed to control a Noah Wafula pass from the left.

It didn’t take long for Gor to utilize their first shot on target when Abondo hit past his former side with a lovely long range shot that was deflected by Asike for the opener that sparked the Green Army.

On the other end, Gor captain Jerim Onyango parried Were’s left foot shot to deny the SportPesa Premier League top scorer the equaliser as Wafula hit the woodwork from the rebound at the quarter hour mark.

Lloyd Wahome came to Tuskers’s rescue at the half hour mark when he cleared Michael Olunga’s attempt after the lethal Stars forward was played onside by Jockins Atudo’s back pass.

The Brewers trouble worsened seven minutes to the interval when Wahome hacked down Abondo in the area to concede a penalty that was well taken by Kagere and hand his side a commanding lead.

Kimani rattled the cross bar from the set piece on the stroke of half time after he was brought down at the edge of the box by Shakava.

Tusker made a comeback in the second half with Were beating Onyango with a lovely curled shot from outside the area.

Kimani, Humphrey Mieno and Clifford Alwanga all came close to drawing the Brewers level but  Onyango stood tall in goal to keep their threats away.

But Just as it looked like Gor had won the first leg,  Asike popped with a vital equalizer in the 91st when he slammed home  after a goalmouth melee to give Tusker a life line.

Gor who will be seeking to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2012 while Tusker will be going for their historic three peat.

Bernard Kipyego wins the Amsterdam Marathon on Sunday, October 18, 2015. PHOTO/AFP/Getty/IAAF

AMSTERDAM, October 18- Bernard Kipyego and Joyce Chepkirui were the winners at the 40th edition of the TCS Amsterdam Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, on Sunday.

In persistent drizzling rain, temperatures below 10C and a high humidity, the conditions were far from perfect. But both athletes recorded the sixth-fastest times in the history of the race; Kipyego winning in 2:06:19 and Chepkirui crossing the line in 2:24:11.

Defending champion Kipyego was intent on retaining his title and breaking the 2:06:22 PB he set when winning in Amsterdam last year. The 29-year-old Kenyan eventually achieved both of those goals, but the cold and rain gave him – and many others – cause for concern.

Kipyego was one of 16 runners in the leading group in the first half of the race, along with three-time winner Wilson Chebet and two-time world champion Abel Kirui.

Three pacemakers – Geoffrey Kirui, Edwin Kiptoo and Nicholas Bor – tried to keep the field on pace to break Wilson Chebet’s course record of 2:05:27 from 2013.

The opening 5km was covered in 14:42, but the pace slowed in the second 5km as they passed 10km in 29:48, already putting them outside course-record schedule.

None of the athletes in the lead pack had the energy or the inclination to push for the course record, instead opting for a more cautious strategy. The pace didn’t drop too much, though, and they passed half way in the village of Ouderkerk at the river Amstel in 1:02:57.

Chala Dechasa and fellow Ethiopian Tsegaye Mekonnen were the first to make a break in the second half, having passed 25km in 1:15:03. But when the last pacemakers stepped out of the race at 30km, the Kenyans – led by Kipyego – took the lead.

After winning last year’s race, Kipyego stated that he had left it too late when he made his key move. This time, he made no such mistake and took the initiative to lead from the remaining athletes at the front.

Ezekiel Chebii, Mike Kigen and Dechasa tried to keep up, but they were unable to catch Kipyego, who went on to win with a PB of 2:06:19.

Chebii finished second in 2:07:18, lowering his PB by almost two minutes. Kigen was third in 2:07:45, completing a Kenyan sweep of the podium places.

Dechasa was fourth in 2:08:25, 20 seconds in front of three-time winner Chebet, who finished fifth. Kirui lost contact with the leading group when he picked up a hip problem at 30km and finished 10th in 2:10:55.

Mekonnen, Markos Geneti and Jonathan Maiyo – the three fastest athletes in the field with sub-2:05 PBs – didn’t finish the race.

Abdi Nageeye was the top Dutch finisher, taking more than a minute off his PB to finish eighth in 2:10:24, comfortably inside the Olympic qualifying standard set by his national federation.

But compatriot Michel Butter was not so lucky. He crossed the line moments later in 2:11:08, eight seconds outside the mark required for making the team for Rio.

-Chepkirui smashes PB-

In her fifth attempt at the marathon distance, Joyce Chepkirui finally made the breakthrough she had been promising for so long, smashing her PB by nearly four minutes to win in 2:24:11.

The lead group was significantly smaller than the one in the men’s race as Chepkirui and compatriot Flomena Cheyech were the only ones who went along with pace maker Eunice Chumba.

Cheyech, the fastest woman in the field with a 2:22:44 PB from her victory in Paris last year, and Chepkirui went through 10km in 33:20 and half way in 1:10:26, putting them on schedule to break the 2:21:09 course record.

But Cheyech began to fade soon after being passed by Chepkirui at about 28km. It meant that Chepkirui, the African and Commonwealth 10,000m champion, was out on her own for the final 10km of the race.

With no one for company, Chepkirui’s pace dropped slightly in the closing stages, but she won comfortably in 2:24:11, taking almost five minutes from the 2:29:07 PB she set in Boston earlier this year.

It was a significant breakthrough for Chepkirui, who failed to finish on her marathon debut in London three years ago and then finished 15th in the British capital one year later. She won in Honolulu last year in 2:30:23 and then placed 10th in Boston six months ago, but both of those races were held in difficult conditions and it was clear that she was capable of running faster in the right race.

“It was very tough, especially in the second half,” said Chepkirui. “I’m very happy with my victory.”

Cheyech held on for second place in 2:24:38. Australia’s Milly Clark, contesting her first serious marathon, finished third in 2:29:07.

Olympic champion Tiki Gelana started the race but dropped out before half way as she was not in good health.

KCB’s Paul Mungai Kiongera shields the ball against a City Stars opponent on Sunday, October 18, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 18- The masters of the ‘Great Escape’ in the SportPesa Premier League (SPL), Nairobi City Stars are at it again after beating one of the direct rivals in the frenetic race against the drop, KCB, 1-0 on Sunday.

Ugandan striker, Jimmy Bageya was the hero of the hour for the Kawangware-based side with the result at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium also having the effect of pushing hapless basement side, Nakuru All Stars closer to the relegation trapdoor after opening a five-point cushion in what is evolving to be an enthralling battle to remain in the top flight.

All Stars shared a 1-1 draw with Bandari also on Sunday in what counted as a victory for City Stars as it allowed the capital outfit to put distance between them and their direct rivals while dragging the bankers into the relegation mire.

Elsewhere, stuttering giants, AFC Leopards and Mathare United sweated out a barren draw while Thika United halted Ulinzi Stars match by flogging the soldiers 2-0.

Western Stima and Chemelil as well as Ushuru FC and Muhoroni each shared a 1-1 stalemate.

With the title already sewn up by Gor Mahia, attention has shifted to the desperate tussle to remain in the top flight with next season’s composition of the SPL yet to be decided although one thing is certain; two teams will be placed on the chopping board.

Having perfect the act of staging dramatic escapes in the previous three seasons before last, their inclusion this term coming when the Kenyan Premier League Limited restored them after a dispute with Football Kenya Federation in March, City Stars want to chart their own destiny this time round on the pitch.

Bageya struck the priceless goal in the 74th minute as All Stars fell behind to Anthony Kimani in the 24th at the Afraha Stadium backyard in Nakuru before rallying to level the match through substitute Lwamba Bebeto from the spot, ironically timed a minute after City Stars went ahead at Kasarani.

City Stars advanced to 24 points, one behind KCB who are directly above them with six to fight for before curtains come down on the season.

-Doomed Stars-

Mathare United’s Edwin Lavatsa tries to escape the attention of AFC Leopard’s Solomon Nasio (#19) and Israel Emuge (third right) during their SPL clash on Sunday, October 18, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

All Stars who were also given a top-flight reprieve by KPL at the start of the campaign, are all but doomed unless a miraculous turn around with a huge swing in goal difference in their favour occurs.

In other matches, Vincent Omuombo converted from the spot to give Thika the lead on the half hour mark in Nakuru before Kennedy Otieno sent his side to the break 2-0 to the good on the 43rd to round the final score although Ulinzi (54) are still ten points clear of third placed Sofapaka FC in third.

Wycliffe Ochomo gave visiting Muhoroni Youth a dream start when he converted in the sixth before towering defender; Joseph Shikokoti hauled the taxmen level in the 65th as Fred Shimoyo (32nd) and Samuel Ouma (85th) traded goals in the Stima versus Chemelil clash.

Shimoyo turned from hero to villain when he was sent off leading up to the equaliser.

Soya Awards founder, Paul Tergat (right) and former Sportsman of the Year and Sevens rugby star, Humphrey Kayange at the 2015 Awards launch in Nairobi on October 21, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 21 – Drug cheats will not be honoured at this year’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) as event founder and International Olympics Committee Member, Paul Tergat, added his respected voice to calls on Government to criminalise the vice.

Tergat, a former world marathon record holder and two-time Olympics silver medallist announced Wednesday the annual black tie gala will be held in Nairobi on January 15, 2016.

The theme for this year’s edition for the fete that recognises outstanding achievements in Kenyan sports – Take responsibility and stay clean- is inspired by the recent rise of doping cases in the country. It hopes to raise awareness among athletes on dangers of performance enhancing drugs use.

“It’s shocking that we are witnessing doping cases nearly every day. We will not tolerate these shortcuts where some of our sportsmen or ruthless agents are trying to take added advantage in terms of using prohibited substances.

“As SOYA, we believe in fairness, hard work and dedication in all aspects. I’m sure polices are being formulated and this negative vice that is creeping in sports should be criminalized and penalised so that if you are doping, you should be able to carry your own cross as an individual and not a sport,” the SOYA founder and five-time World Cross senior men champion declared.

African women 800m bronze winner, Agatha Jeruto and road racer, Josephine Jepkoech are the latest convicted Kenyan drug cheats after Athletics Kenya announced their two and four years bans from the sport testing positive for Norandrosterone.

With athletes who excelled in the Beijing’s IAAF World Championships expected to be feted, sprinters, Joyce Zakari and Fransesca Koki will not be considered for nomination after they were provisionally suspended after their A-Samples returned adverse findings at the global showpiece where Kenya ruled the world.

The Government through the ministry of sports constituted Anti Doping Agency of Kenya late last year that is dealing with the cases and in January, the country was rocked when female marathon star, Rita Jeptoo’s, was handed a two-year ban for prohibited blood booster, EPO.

-Expanded categories-

Paul Tergat (left) receives Sh15m sponsorship dummy cheque from Safaricom head of Communications, Joseph Ogutu towards the 2015 SOYA Awards on October 21, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

On the awards, Tergat announced the schools category which is one of the 17 nominees will compete for awards will be expanded with performances between January and December this year being considered across all divisions.

The awards are expected to be competitive following sterling performances of athletes in various disciplines this year, most notably the IAAF World Championships, Africa Women Volleyball championships, World Youth Championships as well as regional and local competitions.

“We look forward to an exciting contest among the nominees in the various categories. As is SOYA’s tradition, we will award the best of the best, so this year’s panel of judges has the unenviable task of selecting a few winners from a big pool of athletes,” Tergat stated.

Nomination are open to the public and they can nominate the best spotsmen and women, sports federations, coaches and community heroes through facebook (Soya Awards Kenya), twitter (@soyaawards) or to info@soyaawards.com.

The panel of judges comprises Sports editors and writers from various media houses in the country.

Integrated communications service provider, Safaricom title-sponsored the event to a tune of Sh15m while Multichoice Kenya injected Sh1.5m.

World men’s 5000m silver medallist, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku is the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year.

The Sportsman and Sportswoman, Most Promising (male and female), Coach, Team, Disabled (male and female) and Federation of the year awards are among other gongs that will be handed out during the gala.

A recipient will be inducted to the Hall of Fame with another winning the Community Hero award for services to sport that impact on society in the event open to citizens of Kenya.

Benjamin Ayimba during Friday’s coaching session after speaking to Capital in the Morning. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 21 – The national sevens team will return to Nandi Hills for a high altitude training camp a week before they depart for the November 14 and 15 2016 Africa Olympics qualifiers in Johannesburg, South Africa.

However, the squad to be contracted by Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) for the 2015-16 Rugby Sevens World Series season will be named after the qualifiers since title sponsor, Kenya Airways are yet to confirm their commitment to the team.

“We don’t know how many players will be contracted since we are yet to get the go ahead from the Union. If title sponsors renew their partnership then we will decide on the number,” head coach, Benjamin Ayimba told Capital Sport.

Former skipper and veteran, Humphrey Kayange said they will only negotiate on the contract when they get hold of it but for now they are concentrating on qualifying for the Summer Games in Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil.

“We can only discus about contract once it’s on the table. Everyone is really edgy about that but no has seen them. Everyone is talking about things that are in the contract or are not but for now the most important thing is the qualifiers.

“The contracts will take effect when the series starts in December. We have the qualifier which requires no contracts so we have to go out there and perform,” Kayange, the elder brother of record try scorer, Collins Injera, asserted.

Contracts has been a major issue since last season after former chairman, Mwangi Muthee replaced existing central contracts with performance based deals that led to protests from senior players who downed their tools on several occasions.

It’s yet to be seen if KRU chairman, Richard Omwela who was re-elected in March will make changes after all players’ contract lapsed in July.

Kayange, who alongside Sri Lanka based winger, Oscar Ouma and Impala RFC full back, Sammy Oliech are latest inclusions in the team, is fighting against time to get back to fitness after having a shallow outing last season.

“Missing out on gaining automatic qualifiers means we have to go and grind out in the African qualifiers and with less than a month to go, all preparations are geared to make sure the boys advance to Olympics.

“I’m getting to that point where I’m taking a year at a time but five years from now. I’m looking to give it back to the young players. Coaching is one area that I will consider because I want to pass down the knowledge,” the 33-year-old Mwamba RFC centre, declared.

The return of Ouma, better known by his nickname “Big Wheels” to the national squad for the first time since last year when he featured at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, is a major boost to the team as he is capable of punishing defences with his fleet feet and deceptiveness in offence.

For Oliech, it will be a breakthrough if he makes it to the team after being overlooked by past coaches despite impressive performances at his club.

The trio were initially overlooked for the Safari Sevens and opted to feature for invitational side, Samurai who lifted the Africa premier tournament under the tutelage of former Kenya 7s head coach, Mike Friday.

“They are top quality players and as much as they did not play for any of the Kenyan teams, they proved their worth at the Safari Sevens and that’s why they are in the team. The players are bonding well and they are showing what it takes to win matches.

“I assure Kenyan rugby fans that we will qualify for Olympics. We just need to work on a few mistakes we learnt from Safari Sevens and we will be good to go,” Ayimba, explained.

The team had a two week bonding session at Nandi Hills after Safari Sevens before relocating to Nairobi.

AFC Leopards head coach, Zradvko Logarusic looks dejected during their final KPL first-leg clash of the season against Sofapaka after issues with raising a squad. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 21 – AFC Leopards hopes of clinching silverware this season were ruthlessly ended in a 4-0 humiliation at the batons of Ulinzi Stars in their belated GOtv Shield Round of 16 clash at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

Ulinzi now face SportPesa premier League side, Bandari, in the quarters finals as limping Ingwe were left staring at the latest shameful act in a nightmare season they cannot wait for its end.

Enos Ochieng fired the hosts ahead in the 11th minute when he headed past keeper, Lucas Indeche from a Brian Birgen cross to set up a torrid afternoon for the stuttering giants whose financial woes and management shambles have embarrassed the proud football institution this term.

Evans Amuoka who had missed a couple of chances, then made amends on the stroke of half time to double the lead when he nodded a free header from another Birgen cross from the right to see the soldiers lead 2-0 at the breather.

Ulinzi could have nicked in six goals in the lop-sided opening half, but Amuoka and Ochieng failed to get past Indeche against an obliging, almost non-existence Leopards’ defence that missed right back, Edwin Wafula who was suspended after picking a red card in their 2-1 win over Wazito FC in the previous round.

Ingwe’s only shot on target came in the 42nd but Birgen denied them the equaliser when he cleared Michael Khamati’s goal bound effort off the line after the striker skipped past keeper Francis Ochieng.

Boniface Onyango extended Ulinzi’s lead the lead barely two minutes after the restart when he picked up Ochieng’s back heel to uncork a devastating finish into the far corner from range.

Former Leopard’s boss, Robert Matano soldiers, perhaps in an act of mercy, opted to sit back as Ochieng parried away Duncan Otieno’s 18-yards strike.

The tactician nick-named ‘Lion’ then threw his top scorer and former Nairobi City Stars striker, John Makwata, to the fray and he duly hammered the final nail in Ingwe’s GOTv Shield coffin when he blasted home from Ochieng’s assist as the man of the match intercepted a week defensive pass to set up the substitute.

The skies opened up towards the end of the match in another telling sign from the elements of a washed up season for the Kenyan titans who left the pitch drenched and shamed.

The 2013 GOTv Shield winners will now fight to finish Top 8 in the league that will guarantee them a place at next year’s knock out tournament in perhaps their final act of saving grace in a wretched campaign.

John Baraza leads Sofapaka players from the field after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Gor Mahia at City Stadium on October 21, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, October 21 – Champions Gor Mahia inched closer to the ‘Invincibles’ honour after skinning Sofapaka 2-0 in a SportPesa Premier League clash at Nairobi City Stadium on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Tusker stand-in coach, Leonard Odipo won his first match since replacing Francis Kimanzi after captain and league top scorer, Jesse Were, struck late to lift them to a 1-0 victory over Sony Sugar in Awendo.

At Gor’s City Stadium citadel, rejuvenated midfielder, Ali Abondo continued his scoring run as talisman Michael Olunga added a second as the 15-time champions protected their unbeaten status and push their tally to 69 points with only three games to wrap the season.

Having already defended the title and surpassed the record 63 in the Kenyan Premier League era achieved when Mathare United lifted the title in 2008; ending the campaign without tasting defeat is the last frontier remaining this term for a side that will keep the trophy for good.

Struggling Batoto ba Mungu were the latest to fail to take Gor’s scalp and the titleholders’ tally now reads 27 unbeaten.

The visitors missed a penalty in the second half that had potential to alter matters and remain third on 43, same as Muhoroni Youth who have an inferior goal difference in fourth.

Abondo headed home Olunga’s cross to send his side ahead in the 23rd minute after the visitors came off the blocks through David Mbatiye who missed the target by inches.

Meddie Kagere and Olunga came close for Gor but could not double the lead to the break.

Gor Mahia’s Ali Abondo (right) Harun Shakava and Boniface Oluoch (background) watch the ball trickle out during their SPL match against Sofapaka on October 21, 2015. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

The second half was a one sided affair as Gor continued their dominance and they could have made it 2-0 but Sofapaka goalie, David Okello stopped Olunga’s effort.

Sofapaka then earned a spot-kick but restored Boniface Oluoch in K’Ogalo’s goal stopped veteran striker, John Baraza, from 12 yards in the 59th to preserve their lead.

The scare roused Gor to go in for the kill and Ugandan midfielder, Khalid Aucho spurned two quick chances before Kagere wasted a one-on-one run at goal with only Okello to beat.

Olunga sealed the result in the 77th with a beautiful finish for his 16th, four shy of Were whose 72nd minute winner was enough to lift Tusker past a stubborn Sony.