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Author: Maxwell Wasike

  • Mason Mount completes Man United move

    Mason Mount completes Man United move

    Manchester United have completed the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea for an initial £55m.

    The overall fee for England international midfielder Mount could rise to £60m depending on success and appearances over several seasons.

    The 24-year-old has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford that runs until the summer of 2028 and has the option to be extended by a further year.

    Mount becomes United’s first summer signing and the transfer brings his 18-year association with Chelsea, during which he won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, to an end.

    Mount, who will wear United’s iconic No 7 shirt, said: “It’s never easy leaving the club where you grew up, but Manchester United will provide an exciting new challenge for the next phase of my career.

    Mount bid farewell to Chelsea fans in a social media video on Tuesday evening and leaves Stamford Bridge having scored 33 goals and providing 37 assists in 195 appearances in all competitions.

    Manchester United football director John Murtough said: “Mason is an extremely intelligent footballer and has so many fantastic technical qualities that will significantly add to our squad.

    United boss Erik ten Hag first bumped into Mount when he was Ajax head coach. On loan at Vitesse Arnhem, the-then 18-year-old’s free-kick led to his side’s third goal as they beat Ajax 3-2 in March 2018.

    Ten Hag, then in charge of just his eighth game at Ajax, reportedly tried to sign Mount for the Dutch club on loan from Chelsea the following season. Fourteen goals and 10 assists in his first full campaign of senior football, largely from central midfield, had caught Ten Hag’s attention.

    The deal, which is an initial £55m, is a good one for the club bearing in mind Chelsea’s starting price point was £70m, but, more than that, Mount represents exactly what Ten Hag wants in the centre of the park.

  • Faith Kipyegon named LG/SJAK sports Personality for June 

    Faith Kipyegon named LG/SJAK sports Personality for June 

    Double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon is the Sports Personality of the month of June 2023.

    The middle distance runner shattered two World Records in a span of one week, during the month of June, a feat that no sports personality would match. She set the women’s 1500 metres world record, clocking 3:49.11 at the third Diamond League meeting of the season in Florence, Italy on June 2.

    The Kenyan athlete, winner of the last two Olympic 1500m golds and the 2017 and 2022 world titles, bettered the previous mark of 3:50.07 set by Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in 2015.

    On the finish line, Kipyegon finished well ahead of Britain’s second-placed Laura Muir and the Australian Jessica Hull in third, with Kipyegon’s rivals crowding around to congratulate her after the race.

    Kipyegon becomes the second athlete after Angela Okutoyi to win the SJAK  award thrice.

    And in winning the June trophy, Kipyegon who trains in Kaptagat, took home a personalized trophy and an LG ,……worth Kes……..from courtesy of title sponsors LG Electronic East Africa.

    “I’m so happy to be among the few athletes to win this award more than twice,” Kipyegon remarked, adding: “It’s always good to see corporate entities acknowledge the good work of athletes. I’m thankful to LG for their efforts to whip up the enthusiasm of sportsmen and women in this country. The win in Florence boosted my confidence levels and I feel I have to continue pushing for better track limits.”

    To win the coveted monthly trophy, Kipyegon beat five other nominees among them Commonwealth Games champion Beatrice Chebet who produced a scintillating run to clinch the 3,000m title at the Oslo Diamond League in eight minutes, 25.01 seconds, which also counted as the latter’s new personal best and world leading time.

    Other nominees for June were Carl Tundo and McRae Kimathi for their WRC2 and WRC3 finishes on WRC Safari Rally,  Moses Shumah for scoring Harambee Stars solitary goal at the Four Nations Tournament, Emma Wangila Nekesa for being the only African wrestler and Kenyan to have qualified for the World Beach Games in Indonesia after being ranked at position eight globally during the Singapore beach series. 

    Another nominee was. Beatrice Chebet who won the women’s 3000 meters in Oslo, Norway, Wanda Diamond League in a time of 8.25.01 which counted as the world lead and her new personal best.

    SJAK President James Waindi thanked LG for their continued support over the past eight years.

    “With the monthly award, we are seeing a growing number of upcoming and talented sports personalities among them Angela Okutoyi who won the Wimbledon Open Junior category and won this award for a record three times. Rewarding sportsmen and women is an important step towards whipping up the enthusiasts of sports personalities across all disciplines.”

  • Kenya shows an improvement in the African Beach Games

    Kenya shows an improvement in the African Beach Games

    Kenya have had a good finish in the just concluded second edition of the African Beach Games in Hammamet,Tunisia.
    Kenya won two medals from the 3×3 women’s basketball team where they secured silver and the girl’s tennis double team that managing a bronze.

    This was an improvement from the inaugural 2019 games where Kenya took home only three medals.

    Faith Urasa and Shufaa Ruwa Changawa took silver in the tennis double team while Mathayo Mahabila and Mark Omumasaba won bronze and silver in the men 80kg and 90kg in the men wrestling team respectively.

    Kenya lost to Mali by a fine margin of 18-10 in the women’s 3×3 basketball team.
    “This means a lot to us because it shows just how hard we have worked. We are really delighted as a team. We did well against Mali because in the first game when we faced them in the group stages, the gap was wide. But we reduced it,” said Margaret Nerea.

    The Kenyan side had a scare with MaryAnne Nyangaki having an injury in the 8th minute which saw Malians leading with 5-1.The West Africans capitalized and secured them a win.

    However, in the women’s tennis Urasa and Changawa beat Loudhabachi and Louati of Tunisia 6-4, 6-2 in the first match but lost 2-1 to Sophie Catherine and Marie Francois of Mauritius where they received a bronze medal.

    “We are really delighted because it was tough, especially with the crowd against us. We just psyched ourselves up and worked hard from the start,” said Changawa

  • Senator Orwoba:Kenya’s participation in Invictus Games is in the offing

    Senator Orwoba:Kenya’s participation in Invictus Games is in the offing

    Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has disclosed that Kenya will be taking part in the invictus games following partnership mechanisms initiated by the ruling government and the program foundation honchos.

    Speaking on Thursday after hosting the foundation members led by its Director David Wiseman, the vibrant lawmaker noted that the sport would be of paramount importance to the country in helping out its participants both psychologically and physically.

    “The Invictus Games is an international multi-sport event first held in 2014, for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.
    The Invictus Games were founded by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. The inspiration came from his visit to the Warrior Games in the United States, where he witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically” she said

    Wiseman on on his part reiterated their commitment of partnering with Kenya further lauding the Country for its decent past at the Paralympic Games which can be drawn upon to incorporate sports recovery in its wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans

    “We are here to learn more about what it’s like to be veteran in Kenya and to explore if there are opportunities for them to be involved in the Invictus Games Community.We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the Senate National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration committee this afternoon and we are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the legislatures who are helping us to understand the potential for Kenya’s participation in the Invictus Community of Nations” read part of Wiseman’s statement

    Kenya has a proud and successful history at the Paralympic Games and therefore a heritage of adaptive sports that could be drawn upon to incorporate sports recovery in our wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans” he added while meeting Senate Speaker and Majority leader Amason Kingi and Aaron Cheruiyot respectively

    Kenya has been a key participant in the Paralympic Games and according to analysts,inclusion in the Invictus Community will further enhance the representation and access to opportunities for the country’s war veterans.

    The games harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

    These goals align with the continued efforts of the member nation on program to support serving members and veterans recover through sport, recreation, and creative activities.

    The Invictus Games Foundation has been at the forefront of promoting the welfare of war veterans worldwide by involving them in activities of the Invictus Community of Nations.

    In 2023, the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf will welcome 500 athletes from over 20 nations to the heart of Düsseldorf. Under the motto “A Home For Respect” the initiative organisers will celebrate athletes from all over the world as well as their families and friends.

  • Cheruiyot aiming for good outing in Budapest

    Cheruiyot aiming for good outing in Budapest

    Olympics silver medalist Timothy Cheruyiot has expressed his elation saying he is looking to reclaim the world title at the Budapest World Championship in August this year.

    Cheruyiot, who has been in the throes of injury for the past two years, has said this year has been favorable for him since he has not suffered any which has helped him stay in shape.

    Battling the injuries saw him miss out on an Olympic Gold to Norwegian Jacob Ingebristen in Tokyo 2021 and relinquishing the world title to Great Britain’s Jake Wightman in Oregon last year where he clocked 3:30:69, but he has said he is positive about the upcoming championship.

    “For now my focus is on the World Championships and the Diamond League circuit. I am happy that this year I have been injury free…that’s my happiness. I am going on well with my training and I am confident that good things will come,” said Cheruiyot.

    He will join the Diamond League races to gauge his stamina and hone his skill where he hopes to reclaim his title from the foe-cum friend, Ingebristen.

    “I need to focus on my endurance because he is a strong guy and is the best in the world. I need to plan with my management…the coach and the doctors to see if I can get even one (race with the Norwegian) to get that confidence before the World Championships,” he said.

    The 27-year old will be participated in the National Athletics Championship where he came in third cracking a 1:45:10 finish behind Kipng’etich Ng’eno who came in first place with 1:44:90 and Cornelius Tuwei who finished second with a record of 1:44:92.

    He will further be appearing in the Athletics Kenya Trials in July 8th and 9th.

  • Kipchoge signs with Mozilla as Africa Mradi Ambassador

    Kipchoge signs with Mozilla as Africa Mradi Ambassador

    Global tech giant, Mozilla Corporation has today signed double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, EGH as brand ambassador for the Mozilla Africa Mradi Programme.

    The Mozilla Africa Mradi and the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation will collaborate with the renowned marathon runner to promote a culture of reading among Kenyan youth through Pocket. This is aligned
    with The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation’s mission to promote access to education in underprivileged communities.

    Speaking during the signing ceremony, the double olympic champion noted, “The Eliud Kipchoge Foundation works in the areas of health, environment and education. We have set-up a library in Nandi County
    where we have equipped books that our local youths can access. Pocket will be very useful to our local youths in Nandi as they can come and access the internet at the library, download educational materials and access this information when they go back home where they have no internet access”.

    Pocket, previously known as Read It Later is Mozilla’s social bookmarking service for storing, sharing and discovering web bookmarks. The tool provides offline access to curated and personalised learning materials. This will be useful in areas with limited internet access and in promoting access to educational materials for our youths

    “Mozilla is keen to identify and work with individuals whose values resonate with ours and is always forming partnerships to advance mutually beneficial programmes that support the needs of communities; Mozilla’s partnership with the Kipchoge Foundation is definitely one that
    resonates with the Mozilla values. Noted Lindsey O’Brien, Chief Marketing Officer, Mozilla Corporation.

    Today pocket has over 10 million users globally.

  • SportPesa advances Shujaa partnership, injects 15 million into the local 7s circuit.

    SportPesa advances Shujaa partnership, injects 15 million into the local 7s circuit.

    Betting and gaming firm SportPesa has reaffirmed its commitment to support the national rugby sevens team Shujaa reclaim their ‘lost’ pride and glory after being relegated from the HSBC World Rugby series.

    To help develop the talent locally as a feeder into the national team, SportPesa has taken up this year’s rugby 7s circuit title sponsorship, dubbed the SportPesa National 7s Circuit.

    With uncertainty in the last couple of weeks, whether SportPesa will withdraw its partnership,SportPesa CEO, Hon. Cpt. Ronald Karauri noted that the sponsorship will not stop.

    “We will continue to invest in our national team and do further support for the local clubs. We are confident that with the right leadership in place, we will see budding talent come out of
    the SportPesa 7s circuit. Our support and strong commitment should be a steering force to make this vision a reality,” said Cpt. Karauri.

    He was speaking during a breakfast with the Kenya Rugby Union, Shujaa and Lioness players,as well as the representatives from the participating teams in the circuit.

    In the new arrangement, SportPesa is injecting 15,000,000 shillings to support the local rugby circuit annually, for 3 years. However, this will be reviewed year on year from the second year.

    This will see support for the union and the 6 hosting clubs of the circuit, starting with this weekend’s Dala 7s in Kisumu, to be followed by Mombasa and the rest of the other four.

    “As a new office, we know we will eventually get back to the world stage as soon as possible.We commend SportPesa because their journey with rugby goes a long way, this is a beginning of greater things to come, starting with the #SportPesa7sCircuit,” said Kenya Rugby Union CEO, Alexander Mutai.

    SportPesa will issue each of the hosting clubs up to 1,000,000 shillings to help put together successful tournaments. Participants of the SportPesa 7s Circuit will also have handsome prize monies of up to 2,500,000 million to fight for across the circuit.

    Going further, SportPesa will also inject 22,000,000 shillings into the Shujaa to help build-up and preparation for getting back into the world stage. Once they are back, the amount will be reviewed upwards and will significantly increase year on year.

  • Obonyo awards tennis sensation Okutoyi,urges government to invest more in sports

    Obonyo awards tennis sensation Okutoyi,urges government to invest more in sports

    Public Policy analyst and Chairman of the Foundation and Expert on UN Habitat’s Youth Advisory Board Raphael Obonyo has on Thursday morning awarded Kenyan tennis star Angella Okutoyi two weeks after her heroic exploits at the 2023 Billie Jean King Africa Group III tournament that took place at the Nairobi Club.

    Obonyo who has dedicated his energy and time to many initiatives to uplift the lives of the people in his community said his gesture is in line with supporting the development of young talents in sports who go an extra mile of sacrifice in showcasing good performance hence bringing glory back home.

    “Pleased to present the 2023 Obonyo Foundation Determination Award and prize money to Angella Okutoyi for exceptional performance as a Tennis Player on court and off the court. Angella has shown that by combining hard work, skill and determination, there is no limit to what young people can achieve.Okutoyi was named winner of the award today. The tennis player was presented with the award, which comes with a customized trophy and undisclosed amount of prize money, at the Nairobi club.The tennis player was recognized for her constant efforts in utilizing her talent, and for being an inspiration to many people despite her humble background.” noted Obonyo who was named as one of the top 100 influential leaders in Africa in 2018.

    Okutoyi;theWimbledon Open doubles junior champion was very instrumental for the home team despite its elimination of contention for the Euro Africa Championships next year having lost 2-1 to Nigeria and subsequently settling for a third place finish after a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe-Kenya’s better performance compared to 11th place ranking in the tournament last season.

    After the conclusion of the tournament, the 19 year-old urged local stakeholders to build upon the successes of the Billie Jean King Cup by setting up structures and investments to improve the sport going forward.

    “I am glad that we now have the clay courts but I feel we need like a centre. For me, when I was young, I was at a centre and that helped me a lot. Also, I feel like we need to have a lot more tournaments here in Kenya because I was lucky to be in the ITF Centre and it gave me a lot of opportunities to travel outside and gain my points, experience and exposure. Here in Kenya we need a lot of facilities and tournaments for other players as well,” she said.

    Her sentiments were echoed by Obonyo who rallied the government to invest massively in the sporting activities in the country, which enjoys big pool of potential in players across various disciplines.

    “Angella’s hard work and determination has set impressive example, and her sustained excellence and success reflects the character and resilience she continues to demonstrate.She is a representation of the talent that abound among young Kenyans that needs to be nurtured and supported.Government needs to do more in terms of encouraging and investing in sports in general, and tennis specifically” he added

    The youthful sporting icon has had a mouth-watering journey in tennis having risen through the ranks as she became the first Kenyan female to win a junior Grand Slam match to earn  progress to the third round of the girls’ singles at the Australian Open in January last year.

    Inspired by the great Serena Williams, Okutoyi’s elevation from a poor background into elite tennis has not been smooth

    The top-ranked African in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior world rankings was raised by grandmother Mary Omukuya Ndong’a,  after her mother tragically died during childbirth.

    “I was raised by Mary, who works as a school cleaner in Nairobi.I call her ‘mum’ because she’s been in my life when I needed her most.She had to take of care everything by herself and she stood in as our father, mother and grandmother.Tennis will help me get my grandmother from where she is now, remove her from poverty and build her a house and get her a good life.She is the one who pushes me to do what I am doing so seeing her happy makes me happy.” Okutoyi told BBC Sport Africa.

    Okutoyi who holds an ITF junior ranking of 49th and claims six ITF junior singles titles and 13 ITF junior doubles titles is currently advancing her career and education outside the country having enrolled at the Auburn University in Alabama, USA in October last year.

    “Angie [Okutoyi] is a trailblazer,someone who serves as an incredible inspiration and role model for future generations of aspiring tennis players,” said Auburn head coach Caroline Lilley. “With a plethora of international experience on the biggest stages in junior tennis, she has remained grounded in her commitment to prioritizing her development as a person above all else. In all our conversations with Angie and with those who know her well, the one thing always on display was her character. She does things the right way, holding herself to a high standard while allowing her moral compass to guide her. Her competitiveness will serve her well, but her compassion and kindness make her someone people want to follow.”
     
    “I chose Auburn because I was raised the Tiger way,” Okutoyi remarked

  • Arsenal agree £105m deal to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice

    Arsenal agree £105m deal to sign West Ham midfielder Declan Rice

    Arsenal have agreed a £105m deal to sign West Ham captain Declan Rice.

    The transfer breaks down as an £100m initial fee plus £5m in performance related add-ons.

    The structure of the payments are still being discussed between the two clubs, but Rice is now free to discuss personal terms and look at having his medical.

    Arsenal have already had two club-record bids rejected by the Irons – a £90m bid comprising a £75m fee and £15m in add-ons and an opening offer thought to be worth £80m plus add-ons.

    The offer smashes Arsenal’s transfer record – the £72m they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe in 2019.

    Rice has spent his entire professional career with West Ham and led the club to the Europa Conference League title as his last act.

    Mikel Arteta, who has mostly relied on Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard as his midfielders last season, has been keen to strengthen in that area of the field. He looks to have got his No 1 target.

    Hammers chairman David Sullivan said a gentleman’s agreement meant Rice could leave despite having a year remaining on his contract, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

    Rice joined West Ham’s academy from Chelsea as a teenager and has been ever-present since his breakthrough season in 2017-18. He took over the captaincy after Mark Noble’s retirement last year.

    The 24-year-old played 50 games in all competitions last season as West Ham finished 14th in the Premier League, before winning the Europa Conference League in Prague.

    Rice has played more than 200 games for West Ham and earned 41 caps for England since his international debut in 2019.

  • All set for Dala 7s as KBL offers KES 2 million sponsorship boost ahead of tourney

    All set for Dala 7s as KBL offers KES 2 million sponsorship boost ahead of tourney

    The highly anticipated 2023 edition of the Dala Sevens tournament has received a massive boost after Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) announced a KES 2 million sponsorship.

    The tournament which serves as the opening round of the 2023 National Sevens Circuit is set for this weekend at the newly-refurbished Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu.

    Pools for the tournament have been confirmed, with the National Sevens Circuit reigning champions Menengai Oilers being grouped in Pool A alongside Nakuru, Nondescripts, and Catholic Monks, while KCB, who are last season’s National Sevens Circuit runners-up, are in Group B and will battle Kenya Harlequin, Masinde Muliro, and Mombasa. The Bankers are pre-tournament favourites.

    The Kenya Cup giants and reigning champions Kabras Sugar are in Pool C where they are set to face Strathmore Leos, the 2013 champions, Daystar Falcons, and Kisumu, while Homeboyz, Mwamba, Western Bulls, and Makueni make are in Pool D.

    Dala Sevens, hosted by Kisumu RFC has over the years established itself as one of the most thrilling and fiercely competitive rugby tournaments in the sevens circuit. The sponsorship from Tusker is a continuation of the brand’s commitment to supporting sports in the country and celebrating Kenyans from all walks of life through their Kenya Milele campaign. This follows the brand’s similar sponsorship of the last year’s edition of the tournament.

    Tusker’s sponsorship will encompass the provision of entertainment throughout the event, ensuring an unforgettable experience for players and spectators alike. Tusker, with its rich history in the sporting arena, recognizes the importance of fostering talent and promoting sporting excellence at every level. By aligning with the Dala Sevens, Tusker aims to further enhance the growth and development of rugby in Kenya, while also connecting with passionate sports enthusiasts who share their love for the game.

    Dala Sevens is renowned for its thrilling display of rugby action as top rugby clubs from across the nation battle it out for glory. This year’s edition is expected to feature some of the top teams in the country including Mwamba, KCB, Nondescripts, Menengai Oilers, Nakuru RFC, and hosts Kisumu RFC.

    Speaking during the sponsorship announcement in Nairobi today, Tusker Brand Manager Lennox Mwalea said they are proud to be associated with the tournament and are hopeful that the sponsorship will ensure its success, ” Rugby holds a special place in the hearts of Kenya and we are therefore thrilled to be a part of the Dala Sevens, supporting the growth of rugby in Kenya and celebrating the incredible talent and passion of Kenyan athletes. Through this sponsorship, we aim to create unforgettable experiences for rugby fans and contribute to the development of the sport at all levels. We are confident that our sponsorship will contribute to the success of this tournament.”

    “We are very proud to renew our relationship with Dala Sevens, which is a tournament which we have a long history supporting. For many years, this tournament has been one of the most exciting in the National Sevens Circuit Calendar and that’s thanks to the high level of competition and the enthusiasm of the fans from the region. We therefore eagerly look forward to this year’s edition and have high expectations that it will live up to its billing, delivering an exceptional level of competition and an unforgettable experience for rugby enthusiasts,” he added.

    On his part, Dala Sevens Vice-Chairman Gabriel Ouma expressed his gratitude to KBL for their generous support saying, “We are immensely grateful to Tusker for their valuable contribution to the Dala Sevens tournament. Their sponsorship will undoubtedly enhance the quality of the event and provide an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike. We look forward to working closely with Tusker to ensure the success of the tournament and create lasting memories for all involved,” said Ouma.

    “We anticipate a thrilling competition with a high level of skill from the participating teams. We have received an overwhelming response, and we expect a record number of teams to take part in the Dala Sevens tournament this year. The rugby fraternity and fans can look forward to witnessing intense matches and incredible talent on display. We invite everyone to join us at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium to witness the thrilling action and celebrate the spirit of rugby,” he added.

    Established in 1999, the National Sevens Circuit has become a highlight of Kenya’s rugby calendar. Hosted by various clubs in collaboration with the Kenya Rugby Union, the circuit brings together teams from across the nation to compete in exhilarating rugby sevens tournaments.

    The year’s edition is set to feature some of the top Sevens teams in the circuit including Mwamba, Nondescripts, Nakuru RFC, and hosts Kisumu RFC.

    Teams will compete for the coveted National Sevens Circuit title by accumulating points based on their performance in each tournament. The 2023 circuit comprises a total of six tournaments held in five cities and towns across Kenya.