Mombasa to host 2018 Soya gala

The 2018 Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Award (Soya) Gala will be held in Mombasa mid January next year.

This is the first time the gala is being held outside Nairobi since its inception 15 years ago.

This has been achieved after the organisers of the event signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mombasa County Government.

The deal was sealed by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho  and Soya founder Paul Tergat, who is also the National Olympic Committee of Kenya  (Nock) president at the Governor's office, Mombasa.

The ceremony was attended by Mombasa County Soya liaison officer and advisor to the Governor, Hamisi Mwanguya, Soya Panel of Judges chairman, James Wokabi, Safaricom Coast Region head of department, James Githinji and Mombasa County sports Cec, Munywoki Kyalo.

Joho described it as a great honour Mombasa being picked to host the event for the first time after Nairobi.

Joho said the epitome of this process is how they will create the synergy that will help youth embrace sports as a career.

"I was excited  when the discussion to have Mombasa County host this great event to award our athletes who have been our great ambassadors," said Joho, who vowed to make the event the most successful.

 "We have a good road map where  we shall mobilise several partners to make it a success besides announcing our actual support most of which will be in kind," said Joho.

Joho paid tribute to Tergat saying he is proud

"This is a unique and momentous occasion as Soya makes the historic journey outside Nairobi," said Tergat" "It's like a child stepping outside for the first time."

Soya Awards has 16 categories where  sportsmen and women, coaches, federations and community heroine/her are rewarded.