Sports journalists launch scheme to honour top players

Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) chairman Chris Mbaisi during a past function. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Local sports journalists will select the player who have been outstanding during the month.
  • The panel will be selected to fete the players and will rely primarily on statistics from the KPL in making their decision.

The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) in collaboration with online betting firm SportPesa on Tuesday launched the Kenya Premier League Player of the Month Award that will see the best local player feted every month.

In the deal, local sports journalists will select the player who have been outstanding during the month.

The winner will be awarded a cash prize of Sh50, 000, a personalised trophy and a 42-inch Smart television.

SJAK chairman Chris Mbaisi lauded the partnership with the betting firm saying it was a step in the right direction for Kenyan football.

"I am happy that this has finally come to pass because it is something that we (sports journalists) have been planning for long. We expect that this will greatly improve the quality of our league in general and our players in particular,” said Mbaisi during the launch.

He said a panel will be selected to fete the players and will rely primarily on statistics from the KPL in making their decision.

“We shall be looking at performances, work rate and contribution to the team in making our decisions, but the overriding factor will be discipline. In case of a tie between two players, we shall look at the number of yellow/red cards accumulated by the player during the month,” he explained.

The selection process is set to kick off immediately, with the KPL March Player of the Month set to be feted next Tuesday.