KBC Channel 1

Author: Bernard Okumu

  • Giants of Africa Youth Basketball championship to be held in August in Rwanda

    Giants of Africa Youth Basketball championship to be held in August in Rwanda

     

    Kenya will be among 16 countries that will take part in the inaugural Giants of Africa Youth Basketball Festival from August 13th to 19th in Kigali, Rwanda.

    The Festival will bring together more than 250 youth from 16 countries, 16 of them from Kenya, in celebration of Giants of Africa’s 20th anniversary.

    Giants of Africa, is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to give the youth a platform to showcase their talents and benefit from it.

    Giants of Africa Co-founder  Masai Ujiri, the Vice-Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors,announced the development saying the move seeks to inspire the upcoming basketball talents Rwanda.

    “The Giants of Africa Festival represents a momentous milestone for our organization – we will celebrate 20 years of empowering youth and we will honor the incredible communities that have welcomed us. Through this Festival, we aim to inspire and encourage youth, while acknowledging their immense potential and the collective effort to create positive change,” said Masai Ujiri.

    Countries that are set to feature in the event include; Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda, Botswana, Ghana, South Sudan, Morocco, Cameroon and Mali.

     

  • Over 100 players  to tee off at the inaugural Ruiru Open

    Over 100 players  to tee off at the inaugural Ruiru Open

     

    102 players will participate in the inaugural  Ruiru Open Golf  Championship scheduled this  weekend at the par73 Ruiru Sports Club.

    Ruiru Sports Club captain Jesse Ndegwa said apart from the club placing itself as golfing destination the championship will  ‘’present a good challenge for the elite amateur’’,.

    The leg part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series has attracted recently crowned winners of the Africa Region IV championship; Dennis Maara, John Lejirma and Elvis Muigua who won last weekend at Addis Ababa Golf Club, Ethiopia .

    Kenya One Mike Karanga will however be missing in action as he will be travelling to the UK to take part in the British Amateur Open Championship from 18th-24th June 2023.

    Other notable golfers include veteran Bernard Omondi and Lady junior golfer Channele Wangari.

    The players will be battling out for the initial title of the championship and also the Ksh. 400,000 purse sponsored jointly by NCBA Bank, Ruby Granite and J-Wines.

    At stake will be the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Ranking and Club of The Year Trophy (COTY).

  • Sebastien Ogier : Why the Challenge of Safari Rally is unique

    Sebastien Ogier : Why the Challenge of Safari Rally is unique

    The eight-time WRC Champion Sebastien Ogier has shared his love of the forthcoming WRC Safari Rally slated for Naivasha from June 22-25th.

    The Frenchman crashed out of Rally Sardinia last month as a result of a muddy boot slipping off the brake pedal, caused by a last-minute wheel change. He veered off the road in stage 14 in desperately wet conditions, while holding a 4.3s lead over Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi.

     Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä- winners of the last two editions of Safari Rally in 2021 and 2022 respectively – will both field GR Yaris Rally1 cars for Toyota GazooRacing along with Welshman Elfyn Evans and Japanese Takamoto Katsuta.

     The Toyota speedster stopped competing full-time after his eighth WRC title in the 2021 season. but has savoured the opportunity to do the events that he really enjoys. He wrote in his column on Redbull.com: “I love the Safari Rally. Winning this event is one of the highlights of my career. Really, it’s one of the special ones.”

     Ogier is the second most successful driver in the history of the WRC after namesake and compatriot Sebastian Loeb who won it a record nine times in a row.  

    He won the Safari on its return to the WRC calendar in 2021 and was leading last year’s event until he stopped to change a puncture on the repeat run of the Kedong speed test.

    “Now, we look forward to Africa and I think we’re out of the rainy season in Kenya. The place is quite magical. When I hear about some of the places the WRC is thinking to go to, it really makes me happy to think about being back in Naivasha again.”

    “The place,” he wrote, “is quite magical. The people, the country, wildlife and the roads – everything is just amazing. When you look at the people, it’s humbling to see how warm they are and for the welcome they are giving to us. They never stop smiling.”

     Safari will count towards the seventh round of the WRC representing one of the season’s most challenging events for the crew and the car. In 2021, Ogier donated Sh2.5 million (€20,000) to two Kenyan charities (Nakuru Children’s Project and Ol Pejeta Conservancy) which both received half of the amount.

     Ogier concluded: “The challenge of Safari, it’s unique. It’s not like anywhere else on earth. But we don’t forget: the roads also can be super-tough. You can go from the big, big rocks where you take only first gear into places where you struggle like hell to come through the fesh-fesh, with your face full of the dust.”

     

  • Fatma Samoura: Fifa secretary general to step down from role after seven years

    Fatma Samoura: Fifa secretary general to step down from role after seven years

    Fatma Samoura is to step down after seven years as Fifa’s secretary general to spend more time with her family.

    Appointed in 2016, the 60-year-old will oversee this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before leaving at the end of the year.

    Samoura, the first female and non-European in the role, was a surprise choice after the election of Gianni Infantino as Fifa president.

    “It was the best decision of my life to join Fifa,” she said.

    Former Senegalese diplomat and United Nations official Samoura added: “I am very proud to have led such a diverse team.

    “Fifa today is a better governed, more open, more reliable and more transparent organisation. I will leave Fifa with a high sense of pride and fulfilment.

    “For now, I am fully focused on the preparation and delivery of the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

    “From next year, I would like to spend more time with my family. I have been in love with football since I was eight years old and I feel honoured to have been on this journey.”

    Fifa president Infantino paid tribute to Samoura and said he respected her decision to depart.

    It has been a privilege and an honour to work with a trailblazer in the game,” he added. “Ever since we met, I knew she would be superb for Fifa.

    “Her passion and enthusiasm to drive change has been inspirational. Fatma will continue to contribute towards the development of the game and its social values together with us.”

    During Samoura’s time as head of Fifa’s administration, women’s football has become more popular and more organised.

    The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be the biggest-ever women’s competition and features 32 teams.

  • Billie Jean King Cup: Kenya to open campaign against Morocco

    Billie Jean King Cup: Kenya to open campaign against Morocco

     

    Kenya has been drawn in Pool A of the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Africa group three tennis Championship which scheduled 12th-17th at Nairobi Club.

    The 5-day championship has attracted a dozen countries from the continent.

    Kenya will start their campaign against top seeded Morocco tomorrow before playing neighbours Uganda on Tuesday.

    The hosts will be represented by a formidable team that includes Wimbledon doubles Junior Champion Angella Okutoyi, Roselida Asumwa, Cynthia Cheruto and Alicia Owegi.

    Other teams in Pool A include Botswana, Nigeria and Namibia….Meanwhile, Pool B includes Tunisia, Ghana, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Mauritius and Seychelles…

    The Billie Jean King Cup starts Monday and will end on Saturday with teams seeking promotion to the next tier of the women competition.

    The tournament will be played in a round robin format where the winner will be promoted to the second rank division while the bottom-placed team will be relegated.

  • Golf: Konzolo victorious at fifth leg of NCBA series in Kakamega

    Golf: Konzolo victorious at fifth leg of NCBA series in Kakamega

     

    Cendric Konzolo playing off handicap 5, emerged as the overall winner of the fifth leg of NCBA Golf series held at Kakamega Sports Club.

    Konzolo defied the rainy weather to amass 78 gross.

    In the ladies’ category, Lydia Okech, playing off handicap 20, won the category with 91 gross while Dr Beatrice Shikuku, playing off handicap 22, finished second with 94 gross.

    The Nett categories also saw outstanding performances as handicap 16 golfer Jack Songwa emerged as the top performer in the men’s category, scoring an impressive 70 nett points, while Maureen Mundia, playing off handicap 37 excelled in the ladies’ category, matching Songwa’s score of 70 nett points.

    At the same time, the Longest Drive Challenge was won by Cedrick Konzolo. Sharon Moraa from Kisii Sports Club was the winner in the ladies’ category.

    Speaking during the event, Charles Omondi, NCBA Group Ag. Director Retail Banking: “We are thrilled to witness such incredible talent and enthusiasm displayed by the participants at the 2023 NCBA Golf Series qualifier in Kakamega. This event not only showcases the remarkable golfing skills of the players but also strengthens the bond between NCBA Bank and the golfing community. We are proud to be a part of this journey and remain committed to promoting sports and fostering community development’’, He said.

    The sixth leg of the series is scheduled 17th June 2023 at Nairobi’s Vetlab Golf Club.

  • Stars to depart for Mauritius Monday

    Stars to depart for Mauritius Monday

     

    The National soccer team Harambee Stars will travel to Mauritius on Monday for their upcoming four-nation tournament due to unavailability of flights to the Indian Ocean island nation.

    The team was initially scheduled to travel today ahead of the tournament set to run from June 11-18.

    The four-nation tournament brings together hosts Mauritius, Kenya, Djibouti, and Pakistan. Collins Shichenje, Kenneth Muguna, and Daniel Anyembe are expected to join the rest of the team in Mauritius.

    Joseph Okumu and Masoud Juma have been ruled out due to injuries.

    Stars head coach Engin Firat sees the absence of these experienced players as an opportunity for others to step up and gain valuable national team experience. He stated, “Losing experienced players does have an impact on the team, but we must move forward and give other players the chance to bring something different to the team.”

    Captain Michael Olunga emphasized the significance of the tournament, stating, “The four-nations tournament in Mauritius is a different assignment, and we want to use it as a buildup and preparation for the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers, which will start at the end of the year.”

    The captain also echoed the coach’s sentiments, highlighting the opportunity for players to showcase what they are made of.

    “It’s a fairly new squad with many fresh faces, and it’s a great opportunity for players who have been performing well, especially in the local scene, to experience international football. We will have a good blend of local and foreign-based players, and hopefully, we will deliver strong performances in the tournament.”

    Harambee Stars players have been in camp from Tuesday this week.

    The team will play in the four Nations tournament before taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, slated for 13 -21 November.

  • Junior Starlets step up training ahead of Cecafa tourney

    Junior Starlets step up training ahead of Cecafa tourney

     

    The National under 18 Women’s soccer team ‘Junior Starlets’ has stepped up training ahead of the upcoming CECAFA U18 championship set to kick off on June 24 in Nairobi.

    The Junior Starlets reported to camp on Thursday ahead of the regional showpiece.

    Junior Starlets tactician Beldine Odemba named her provisional squad early this week as Kenya targets to make the home advantage count.

    The squad features a blend of girls from schools from all around the country and select Women’s League teams.

    FKF Women Premier League sides, Ulinzi Starlets and Zetech Sparks have brought in seasoned talents Fasila Adhiambo and Ivy Chepkirui. FKF Division One side, Soccer Assassins FC’s Rebecca Kwoba also made the cut.

    This is the first regional tournament to be hosted in Kenya since 2021 when the CAF Women Champions League CECAFA qualifiers were held in Nairobi.

    In the 2019 edition held in Uganda, the Kenyan U18 women’s finished third. Football Kenya Federation has also bid to host the CECAFA U18 boys championship slated for November this year.

  • Kakamega Golf Club to host 5th round of NCBA Golf Series

    Kakamega Golf Club to host 5th round of NCBA Golf Series

     

    Over 150 golfers are set to participate in the fifth leg of the NCBA Golf series this Saturday at Kakamega Sports Club.

    The winners of the overall gross, Men’s category, Women’s category, and Juniors category will earn their place to compete in the Grand Finale.

    The event follows the fourth leg held on May 25th at Thika Sports Club, which attracted an impressive field of 256 golfers.

    David Matano emerged as the overall winner, triumphing over a strong field of competitors. Simon Ndung’u secured victory in the Men’s category, while Naomi Kimata claimed the title of top Lady golfer. Garcia Kimemia emerged as the champion among the juniors.

    These four outstanding golfers earned their qualification for the series’ grand finale scheduled for December.

    The NCBA Golf Series not only seeks to promote the sport of golf throughout the East African region but also aims to foster a stronger connection between NCBA Bank and its customers through their shared love for the game. This year’s edition consists of a total of 17 club qualifier events hosted at various golf clubs in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

    So far, the Series has enjoyed successful tournaments at the Railway Golf Club, Limuru Country Club, and Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club, and Thika Sports Club. Additionally, the Series includes two junior tournaments, with the first one having taken place in Uganda in March and the upcoming one scheduled for the Nyali Golf Club in November.

    Speaking ahead of the Kakamega event, NCBA Deputy Director & Group Head of Brands said:

    “We are thrilled to bring the 2023 NCBA Golf Series to Kakamega Sports Club, continuing our commitment to promoting the sport of golf and strengthening our connection with golf enthusiasts across the region. This tournament will provide a platform for golfers to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to participate in the Grand Finale. We look forward to an exciting weekend of golf and wish all participants the best of luck.”

     

  • Residents of Kiambu County want the government to revive sports in the area.

    Residents of Kiambu County want the government to revive sports in the area.

     

    Kiambu County Sports stakeholders have raised alarm over misappropriation of funds and grabbing of playgrounds by private developers.

    The team managers, referees, coaches have been forced to dig deep in their pockets and support tournaments   despite the docket receiving 126Million in this year’s budget.

    A manager from the Kenya Athletics Academy in Thika decried the war against illicit brews and drug abuse by the government might not succeed if sports are not taken seriously by the county government.

    “We want the Ethics and Anticorruption Commission (EACC) to investigate officials manning the sports Ministry in Kiambu County. The county has been setting aside funds to develop sports, but the monies have been disappearing mysteriously in individual pockets, leaving us to sponsor events. This cannot be tolerated,” said Wambura,

    Kiambu Sports patron Rev Ephraim Muiruri said due to the “non-committal syndrome” in sports by the counties, youth who were rescued from these vices tend to slide back.

    “If timely action is not taken to resuscitate sports in the county, the enormous talent will go to waste in illicit brews and other drugs. Let Governor Kimani Wamatangi tour the area for a fact-finding mission to understand what athletes are going through,” said Muiruri.

    They accused the county government and other leaders for grabbing land and erecting buildings leaving up no field for training or playing.

    However, Kiambu county Sports County Executive Committee member, Osman Korar has refuted the allegations saying the sports ministry has been operating on zero budgets for the past four years due to a cash crunch.

    He further said he will organize a meeting with stake holders to identify the grabbed land and write to the Ministry of Lands for revocation and also hope that the sports department would be allocated funds in this financial year adding that governor Kimani Wamatangi was keen about sports in the country.