Kenya waits for best 2015 sportsperson and performers
What you need to know:
- Who-is-who of Kenyan sports expected at KICC for gala night
- The red carpet annual ceremony will be seeking to reward top performers in sports during the year 2015 where many Kenyan sportsmen and women excelled in their respective disciplines.
- The finalists were picked by a panel of judges that comprised local sports journalists chaired by Watson Karuma.
- The public and sports federations were involved in nominations and the subsequent voting via mobile phones.
Former Cameroon football star Patrick M'Boma will be the chief guest at the awards.
The 12th edition of Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards (Soya) will be held Friday evening at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.
The red carpet annual ceremony will be seeking to reward top performers in sports during the year 2015 where many Kenyan sportsmen and women excelled in their respective disciplines.
The event has also received massive backing from title sponsors Safaricom, mCheza, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Brookside Dairies, MultiChoice/SuperSport, Communication Authority of Kenya, Kenya Airways, Kenya Tourism Board, Huawei Technologies and Vilarosa Kempinski Hoteliers.
Sportsman of the Year category has attracted some of the finest talent in Kenya what with most of them bringing the world to its feet with their top notch performances last year.
PIONEER JAVELIN THROWER
The 2015 Athlete of the Year and pioneer javelin thrower Julius Yego is pitted against fellow athletes Asbel Kiprop, Geoffrey Kamworor, Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia striker Olunga and hockey player Linus Sang.
Sportswoman of the Year is equally competitive with Hyvin Kiyeng, Florence Kiplagat and Gladys Cherono from athletics battling it out with Mercy Moim (Volleyball) and Nune Bonaya (Shooting).
Yego, who broke the national record four times and the Africa record twice on his way to winning his maiden Diamond League event and World title looks a clear favourite.
The finalists were picked by a panel of judges that comprised local sports journalists chaired by Watson Karuma.
The public and sports federations were involved in nominations and the subsequent voting via mobile phones.
Former Cameroon football star Patrick M'Boma will be the chief guest at the awards.
SELECTED 2015 SOYA NOMINEES
Most Promising Athlete: Women - Cellphine Chespol (athletics), Rebecca Kamau (swimming), Agnes Tirop (athletics). Men - Kumari Taki (athletics), Vincent Kipyegon (athletics), Jeremy Wahome (motorsport)
Team of the Year: Men - Kenya Simba 15s (rugby), Gor Mahia (soccer), Kenya Commercial Bank (rugby), Harambee Stars (football), National Hockey team (hockey). Women - Telkom Orange (hockey), Malkia Strikers (volleyball), Kenya Pipeline (volleyball), Harambee Starlets (football)
Coach of the Year: Curtis Olago (rugby), Julius Kirwa (athletics), David Lung’aho (volleyball)
Comeback of the Year: Lawrence Buyachi (rugby), Emily Muteti (swimming), Paul Kiongera (football)
Federation of the Year: Kenya Volleyball Federation, Kenya Rowing and Canoeing, Boxing Association of Kenya
School Team of the Year: Girls - Wiyeta Girls (football), Sinyolo Girls (hockey), AIC Kosirai (volleyball), Obambo Mixed (netball), Moi Girls Kamusinga (hockey). Boys - Laiser Hill Academy , St Peters Mumias (rugby), Kangaru School (rugby), Malava Boys (volleyball), Narok Boys (hockey)
Community Hero: Edna Rotich, Albert Lagat, Bob Munro, Abdul Sidi
Hall of Fame: Brian Hawkins (shooting), John Mucheru (golf), Violet Baraza (volleyball)