SOYA awards to celebrate women athletes bringing glory to Kenya
Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and her ‘double’ counterpart Beatrice Chebet will face off for this year’s awards
Oraganisers of this year Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) have dedicated the event to honour women athletes who have brought glory to the country.
Themed ‘Celebrating women’s excellence in sports’, the event will see several sports personalities rewarded in 11 categories including Sports Woman of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman with a Disability, a Sportsman with Disability, Coach of the Year, Sports Team Women, Sports Team Men, Schools Girls Team, Schools Boys Team, Schools Coach of the Year and Hall of Fame Award.
The awards ceremony will be held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre next Wednesday.
Topping the show are triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon and her ‘double’ counterpart Beatrice Chebet, who will face off for this year’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards (SOYA). The two are among five nominees in this category, which also includes world marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri and Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Faith Cherotich.
In the sportsman of the year category, boxer Boniface Mugunde who earned Kenya its first African boxing title since Nick Okoth in 2017, is among the five finalists in the nominations list. Mugunde will face-off against Nairobi Thunders’ basketballer Albert Odero and athletes Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Ronald Kwemoi, and Benson Kipruto.
Speaking during a cheque handover of Ksh 1 million by Safaricom as a boost to the programme, SOYA Founder Paul Tergat who is also the NOC-K President stated; “The unwavering support we have had over the last 20 years has been instrumental in shaping SOYA into the prestigious platform it is today. Since 2004, we have celebrated the triumphs of our sportsmen and women together, ensuring that their efforts do not go unnoticed. This year, as we shine a spotlight on women’s excellence in sports, we are proud to do so with a partner who shares our vision.”
On his part, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa, in a statement, said; “We believe in the power of sport to uplift communities, transform lives, and spark national pride. We have walked this journey with SOYA from its inception 21 years ago, contributing over Ksh 300 million in both cash and kind. For us, supporting SOYA is our way of honoring the resilience, excellence, and determination of Kenyan athletes who continue to raise our flag on the global stage.”
This year’s awards will be especially exciting after Kenya topped Africa’s medals table at the 2024 Paris Olympics with four gold, two silver and five bronze medals.
