The voting process for the Sports personality of the year 2018, SOYA Awards, is open. Follow the steps below to vote for your favourite Team and / or individuals:
To vote for your favourite Sports Team of the Year- Men:
Dial *279# for free from a Safaricom Line.
Select option 1; Sports Team of the Year- Men
Then enter: 1 and send to vote for Gor Mahia FC, 2 for the kenya men’s Deaf Handball team, 3 for Davis Cup- Tennis, 4 for Harambee Star’s football team and 5 Kanbis Sports Club’s Cricket team.
To vote for your favourite Sports Team of the Year- Women:
Dial *279# for free from a Safaricom Line.
Select option 2; Sports Team of the Year- Women
Then enter: 1 and send to vote for Malkia strikers’ Volleyball Team, 2 for the KPA (Kenya Ports Authority) Basketball Team, 3 for Equity Bank’s Women basketball Team and 4 for Kenya’s Lionesses Rugby Team.
To vote for your preferred Sportsman of the year:
Dial *279# for free from a Safaricom Line.
Select option 3; Sportsman of the year. Choose and send:
to vote for Willy Ambaka- A Rugby player
to vote for Elijah manangoi- An athlete
to vote for Patrick Matasi- A footballer
to vote for Conseslus Kipruto- An Athlete
to vote for Eliud Kipchoge- An Athlete
To vote for your best SportsWoman of the Year:
Dial *279# for free from a Safaricom Line.
Select option 4; SportsWoman of the Year. Then choose: 1 to vote for Janet Okello (A Rugby Player), 2 to vote for Fatuma zarika (A Boxer), 3 for Hellen Obiri (An Athlete), 4 to vote for Beatrice Chepkoech (An Athlete) and 5 to vote for Celliphene Chespol (An Athlete).
To Vote for your Favourite Federation of the year:
Dial *279# for free from a Safaricom Line.
Select Option 5; Federation of the Year.
Then, Choose 1 to vote for the Football Federation of Kenya, 2 for Tennis Kenya, 3 for Chess Federation, 4 for the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, 5 for Athletics Kenya and 6 to vote for Roll Ball Kenya
World Under-20 champion Edward Zakayo and Harambee Starlets forward Teresa Engesha headline a deep field of boys’ and girls’ nominated for the Most Promising 2018 Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) Awards to be hosted in Mombasa on January 11
The awards, co-sponsored by Mombasa County, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Communication Authority (CA), Kenya Pipeline, GOTv, LapFund, New KCC, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Kenya Power, Sports Station and Protel Studios, will be held at Fort Jesus.
NOMINATED BOYS
In the boys category, Zakayo will battle it out with judoka Carlos Ochieng, world Under-20 champion in 10,000m Rhonex Kipruto, Sofapaka and Harambee Stars forward Piston Mutamba as well as athlete Jackson Kavesa.
Zakayo had a sparkling year that also saw the 17-year-old win the Kenyan 5000m Under-20 trials before going on to claim bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, losing the battle to defending champion Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei.
After winning the Kenyan trials, the World Under-18, World 3000m silver medallist would go on to claim sweet revenge against Ethiopian Selemon Barega, snatching the World Under-20 title in 5000m from the Ethiopian in Tampere, Finland.
The Form Two student at Kapsait High school would then go on to win the Africa 5000m title in Asaba, Nigeria, beating experienced Getaneh Molla from Ethiopia and Eritrean Yemane Haileselassie. That saw him qualify for the World Cup also known as IAAF Continental Cup where he finished fifth.
Ochieng on the other hand is the Kenyan Champion in junior and senior under 60kgs in judo. Due to his prowess and discipline in Judo sport he was given scholarship by Japan and benefitted from an International training in Kodokan university of Judo in Tokyo city.
He represented Kenya in world judo championship in Budapest Hungary and finished 7th in the world and looks forward to Olympics 2020 in Tokyo.
For Rhonex Kipruto, the 19 -year-old won the Africa Cross Country Under-20 men’s title in Chlef, Algeria in March, exerting revenge against Stanley Waithaka, who had beaten them at the Kenya Championships.
Kipruto won the 10,000m race during the Kenyan trials on his way to winning the World Under-20 10,000m title in a Championship Record time of 27:21.08 in Tampere, Finland.
On September 8 in Czech, Kipruto affirmed his status as one of world’s most promising distance runners when he won the Prague Grand Prix 10km race in a course record time of 26:46, missing compatriot Leonard Patrick Komon’s World Record time of 26:44.The time is still the fastest in 10km Road Race this year.
Mutamba on the other hand, scored eight goals for Kenyan Premier League side Sofapaka, a club that he joined in mid-season from Wazito FC on his KPL debut. Having netted one goal, Mutamba helped Sofapaka reach final of FKF Shield where they lost to Kariobangi Sharks.
Mutamba was part of the Harambee Stars Under-23 team that played in Uzbekistan friendly where he scored one goal and provided an assist as Kenya won 2-1.
Due to his impressing performance, he was called up in all Senior Harambee Stars squad under head coach Sebastian Migne, playing in seven matches while scoring one goal in the 1-0 winner against Malawi in a friendly match.
For Kavesa, he claimed bronze in 3,000m at the Africa Youth Championships losing the battle to Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia who won in a time of 7:50.98 and Ugandan Oscar Chelimo who came second in 8:00.72. However, he would claim sweet revenge at the Youth Olympics.
Despite finishing third in boys’ 3,000m final, Kavesa went on to win boys cross country 4km race that gave him the gold medal with 11.12 points, beating Aregawi (11.13) and Chelimo (11.28).–
GIRLS NOMINEES’ LIST:
In the corresponding girls’ category Engesha, who had a three-month professional stint with Swedish Division 2 club Dalhem that is under the tutelage of former Harabee Stars midfielder Robert Mambo, helped FKF Women’s Premier League side Vihiga Queens successfully defend the title.
Engesha played in all Senior team (Harambee Starlets) Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWOCON) Qualifiers, scored in Kenya’s 2-1 first leg victory over Equatorial Guinea in Machakos. In the 2018 CECAFA, she scored one goal.
She will face stiff challenge from Beatrice Chebet, Angela Okutoyi, Edinah Jebitok and Brunlehner Maria.
Chebet won the world under-20 title in Tempere, Finland in personal best 15:30.77, beating Ethiopians Ejgayehu Taye (15:30.87 PB) and Girmawit Gebrzihair (15:34.01 PB).
Okutoyi on her part, won the ITF under -18 tournament in Burundi which saw her join the ITF World Tour team that enabled her tour France German, Belgium and Czech Republic for five weeks between July and August
Straight from the tour, Okutoyi went on to win the ITF/CAT Africa under -14 championships title in Algiers in August, beating home favorite Algerian Bouchra Mebarki 4-6,6-0,6-1 to clinch the title.
Okutoyi would stand top seeded Shufaa Changawa, the 2011, 2014 and 2016 champion who won this year’s championship at Nairobi club.
Okutoyi becomes the youngest player to lift the title after the 14year old Wanjiku Ngaruiya in 2004.
Okutoyi would make history as the first Kenya to reach the final of the Africa cup on Nations that ended in November in Botswana. She lost in straight sets to top seeded Bechri Chiraz from Tunisia 6-1,6-3 to settle for Silver
The performance has seen her earn a fully sponsored tour by the International Tennis Federation Grand Slam Development Fund in Florida in December.
Swimmer Brunlehner Maria, who is based in Germany also made the cut, having struck two gold medals and a silver in swimming to hand Kenya its first medal at Africa Youth Games held July in Algiers, Algeria.
The 18-year-old, who represented Kenya at Gold coast Commonwealth Games, won girls 100m and 50m freestyle respectively adding up to her silver in 50m breaststroke.
Brunlehner had clocked 58.87 seconds to claim gold in the 100m freestyle, a victory that warmed her up for the 50m freestyle feet where she broke the champion record with new times of 26.14 in 50m freestyle.
Brunlehner had earlier romped home second to settle for silver in the 50m breaststroke fray in 34.04 seconds to lose the battle to Moroccan Imane Houda EL Barodi who taped the wall in 33.03.
She was named the StarTimes Sports Personality of July. The final nominee to make the shortlist is world U18 bronze medallist in 1500m Edinah Jebitok who won finished fifth at the world under-20 IAAF Championships in Tampere, Finland.
She would then settle for silver in 1500m at Africa Youth but went on to win gold in 1500m at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools’ Sports Associations (FEASSSA) volleyball champions, Kwanthanze girls, have made it to the nine-team short list for this year’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA). The list features girls’ teams which recorded stellar performances during this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) and East Africa Schools’ championships. Also nominated is the KSSSA and FEASSSA Girls’ Soccer Champs, Kwale Girls. The list is dominated by schools which competed in the 2018 Term One national Games and proceeded to the East Africa Schools’ Games in Musanze, Rwanda.
Here is the full list of the 2018 SOYA Awards nominees-Girls’ School of the Year Category
Kwanthanze Secondary School
Kwanthanze Secondary School are the volleyball champions at both the national Games and the East African tournament. The school’s handball team also finished third at the nationals. At this year’s FEASSSA games, Kwanthanze girls successfully defended their volleyball trophy after outwitting 2015 winners, Rwanda’s G.S Indangaburezi, by 3 sets to 0.
Kwale Girls High School
Kwale Girls won their first national football title in their second appearance at the top level in the country and went on to make it a double by winning the East Africa trophy. In Rwanda this year, Kwale Girls Shocked last year’s (2017) runners up, Uganda’s Kawempe Muslim, 2-1 in a pulsating final to lift their maiden trophy.
Kwale Girls’ soccer team coach, Mukasa Amboko, poses with his players. The girls have been nominated for this year’s SOYA awards- Girls’ School of the Year Category
Kaya Tiwi Girls High School
Kaya Tiwi on their hand, won national titles in both basketball and netball, and grabbed the bronze medal in basketball at the East Africa Games. They also finished fifth in netball at the East Africa Games.
Trans- Nzoia Mixed secondary
To make the cut, Trans Nzoia Mixed reclaimed the national girl’s hockey title and went on to win the East Africa Games in Musanze, Rwanda.
St. Ann’s Sega Secondary School
St. Anne’s Sega Girls handball side finished second at the nationals and third in Rwanda, while their volleyball team reached the Nyanza Region’s finals stage where they lost to Nyakach Girls. The outfit from Siaya played second fiddle to Moi Girls Kamusinga who recaptured the national handball gong and settled for silver in Musanze, Rwanda.
Butere Girls
In their maiden appearance at the national stage, Butere Girls made it to the basketball finals but settled for silver and placed seventh at the FEASSSA Games.
Tigoi Girls
Tigoi Girls grabbed double silver medals in hockey— finishing second behind Trans Nzoia Mixed—both at the national and East Africa stages. The school’s basketball team was finalist in the Western Region Games, where they lost to Butere Girls.
Soweto Girls
Kibra (Nairobi)-based volleyball side Soweto Academy positioned second at the nationals and fifth at the East Africa Games.
Moi Girls High School, Kamusinga
The Girls’ Hand ball power house finished second at this year’s FEASSSA games, losing to Kibuli SS by a solitary score.
The winners for this year’s SOYA awards will be announced in January, 2019, af Fort Jesus- Mombasa. The SOYA awards gala is sponsored by Telecommunications company, Safaricom.
In 2017, Wiyeta girls won the girls’ school team of the year award after lifting the 2017 KSSSA and FEASSSA soccer titles.
Full list Safaricom SOYA award winners for 2017
Sportswoman of the year – Hellen Obiri
Sportsman of the year – Conseslus Kipruto
Women’s Sports team of the year – Kenya Lionesses (rugby)
Men’s Sports team of the year – Kenya u19 Cricket Team
Sportswoman of the year with disability – Beryl Wamira (Deaflympics)
Sportsman of the year with disability – Samuel Muchai (Paralympics)
Coach of the year – Jimmy Kamande (Cricket U19)
Player of the year (Schools category) – Faith Nyaberi
School Team of the year (boys) – Muhiri Muchiri Secondary (rugby team)
School Team of the year (girls) – Wiyeta Girls (Football)
School Coach of the year – Kikechi Kombo (Muhuri Muchiri Secondary)
Sports Federation of the year – Athletics Kenya
Schools Most Outstanding player – Emmanuel Ndonga (swimming)
Most Promising Girl – Jackline Wambui (U18 800m World Champion)
Most Promising Boy – Aman Gandhi (Cricket U19)
2017 SOYA Hall of Fame Winners – Stephen Muchoki (Boxing) & Allan Thigo (Gor Mahia)
Community Hero – Roselyne Kapondi (former Harambee Starlets goalkeeper)
Twelve boys’ teams have been selected to compete for the top prizes in this year’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA). The teams were selected based on their performance during this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association, KSSSA, and Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association, FEASSSA, championships. The list is dominated by schools which competed in the 2018 Term One national Games and proceeded to the East Africa Schools’ Games in Musanze, Rwanda.
The selected schools are: Laiser Hill, Upper Hill, Kakamega School, Olbolsat, Sigalame, St. Antony Boys, Malava, Kapkenyeloi, St. Lukes’ Kimilili, Musingu, Kanyawanga and Menengai.
LAISER HILL
Laiser Hill were crowned the basketball champions at the national Term One games held in Kangaru School, Embu, overcoming debutants Sigalame. Laiser Hill finished 8th at this year’s FEASSSA games, in Rwanda. Laiser’s rugby sevens team reclaimed the title at the national games held at Eldoret’s Hill School before clinching the EA title in Rwanda.
SIGALAME
Appearing at the Nationals for the first time, Sigalame gave Laiser Hill a run for their money. They put up a spirited fight against Laiser Hill at a pulsating Basket ball boys’ final at Kangaru. In Rwanda, the western newbies finished 7th; above Laiser Hill.
UPPER HILL
Upper Hill won their maiden titles at both the national and East Africa games in rugby 15’s.They beat Menengai in sudden death at the national competitions. They also fielded a hockey side and football under-16 team at the national games. Football powerhouse Kakamega won their 13th national title at the national level and went on to finish third in Rwanda while their rugby 15’s team picked bronze and silver at the two events respectively.
MENENGAI
Menengai finished third in Rugby 7’s at this year’s FEASSSA games to make the SOYA nomination list. At the KSSSA national games, they finished second after Upper Hill.
St. LUKE’S KIMILILI
Kimilili beat Kanyawanga in the handball national finals to reclaim the title they had lost the previous year., 2017 Their hopes for a double were however thwarted as they finished fifth at the FEASSSA games.
KANYAWANGA
The Nyanza region handball maestros lost to Kimilili at this year’s national handball finals. In Musanze, Kanyawanga finished fourth; above compatriots Kimilili.
ST. ANTHONY’S BOYS, KITALE
St Antony make it to the FEASSSA list as the national and FEASSSA hockey reigning champions.
MUSINGU BOYS
Musingu fished third in KSSSA games and second in FEASSSA games, this year.
KAPKENYELOI
Kapkenyeloi, make the cut having qualified for the national games for the first time and reached the finals where they lost to Malava in Volleyball. The latter picked Bronze at the FEASSSA games.
MALAVA
The Nationals regulars in volleyball, Malava, beat Kapkenyeloi at the KSSSA national finals in Eldoret. And at the FEASSSA games, they finished second after losing by straight sets (3-0) to Rwanda’s St. Joseph’s.
KAKAMEGA
Kakamega boys’ soccer team, the green commandos, defeated newbies Olbolsat in a high octane KSSSA final at Hill school, Eldoret. In Musanze, the commandos finished third after trouncing Uganda’s B.S Kimanya 5-3 on post match penalties; in the playoff
OLBOLSAT
Olbolsat made their maiden appearance at this year’s KSSSA national finals where they finished second to book a FEASSSA ticket. After defending well for the good part of their final match against Kakamega, Olbolsat conceded a last minute gasp goal. In Rwanda, they got the going tough finishing last; at position eight.
The awards to be held on January 11 has been co-sponsored by Mombasa County, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Communication Authority(CA), Kenya Pipeline, GOTv, LapFund, New KCC, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Kenya Power, Sports Station and Protel Studios.
