by Justin LagatHere’s a column from Justin Lagat on the awards for 2017, with Conselsus Kipruto and Hellen Obiri gaining nods!
Conselsus Kipruto and Soufiane ElBakkali, photo by PhotoRun.net
Hellen Obiri, photo by PhotoRun.net
Paralympian Samuel Muchai, Conseslus Kipruto and Hellen Obiri win Kenya’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards!
At the annual Safaricom Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA), Samuel Muchai emerged as the overall Sports Personality. The 5000m and 1500m T11 Paralympic athlete won gold medals for Kenyan at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 as well as at the London world championships last year.
Conseslus Kipruto, the reigning 3000m steeplechase world champion became the sportsman of the year. This was well deserved given that he is the athlete who singly ensured that Kenya’s legacy in the men’s steeplechase event kept going. Elijah Manangoi, also reigning world champion in the 1500m, and Geoffrey Kirui, the marathon world champion took 2nd and 3rd positions in the category.
The women 5000m world champion, Hellen Obiri was named as the sportswoman of the year. She had stiff competition from the 1500m world champion, Faith Kipyegon and from the ever strong marathon runner, Edna Kiplagat. The two came 2nd and 3rd in this category.
Athletics Kenya was named as the Federation of the year. Other athletes who represented athletics in the awards included the under 17 world 800m champion, Jackline Wambui who won the most promising girl category. Leornard Kipkemboi Bett, Nelly Sile, Gloria Mulei and Hadassah Gichovi are some of the athletes who featured in other categories.
Founded by the legendary Paul Tergat, the vision of the SOYA is to see Kenyan athletes from all sports recognized, rewarded and celebrated at the annual Gala gathering ceremony for their role in national life and development.
Below are some selected results from the 17th January 2018 Gala:
Sports personality of the year
Samuel Muchai (Paralympics, Athletics)
Sportman of the year
1. Conseslus Kipruto (Athletics)
2. Elijah Manangoi (Athletics)
3. Geoffrey Kirui (Athletics)
Sportswoman of the year
1. Hellen Obiri (Athletics)
2. Faith Chepngetich (Athletics)
3. Edna Kiplagat (Athletics)
Sportsman living with disability
Samuel Muchai (Paralympics, Athletics)
Sportswoman living with disability
Beryl Wamira (Deaflympics, athletics)
Sports team (men)
National under 19 Cricket team
Sports team (women)
National Rugby team (Kenya Lionesses)
Most promising (boys)
Aman Gandhi (Cricket)
Most promising (girls)
Jackline Wambui (Athletics)
Federation of the year
Athletics Kenya
Coach of the year
Jimmy Kamande (Cricket)
Most outstanding player (boy)
Emmanuel Ndonga (Swimming)
Most outstanding player (girl)
Faith Nyabera (Tennis)
School coach of the year
Kikechi Kombo (Muhuri Muchiri)
School team (boys)
1. Muhuri Muchiri (Rugby 7s)
2. Laiser Hill (Rugby 15s)
3. Kisumu Day (Hockey)
School team (girls)
Wiyeta Girls Secondary School
Hall of fame
Stephen Muchoki (Boxing)
Allan Thigo (Football)
Community hero
Rosemary Aluoch “Kadwaro” (Football)
