2023 SOYA Awards: Kipyegon, Kiptum feted as Kwanthanze, Koyonzo schools shine

The 2023 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) was finally held on Friday night, March 1, 2024 after being delayed following the demise of the reigning marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum.

Various institutions and sportspersons who registered outstanding performances last year were awarded in different categories in the event staged at the Kenyatta International Conference Center (KICC).

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) President Paul Tergat and Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts Ababu Namwamba were among the dignitaries who attended the colorful ceremony.

Here is how things went down at the successful awards ceremony.

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Sportswoman of the Year award

Faith Kipyegon scooped the prestigious award ahead of 5km world record holder Beatrice Chebet and the reigning 800m world champion Mary Moraa.

Kipyegon had a fantastic 2023 season, breaking 3 world records within two months (5000m, 1500m and one mile). She also made history in becoming the first athlete to do a 1500-5000 metre double in a World Athletics Championship (Budapest 2023).

Sportsman of the Year Award

The prestigious award went to the late Kelvin Kiptum who lowered Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon world record from 2:01.09 to 2:00.35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. He also won the London Marathon title in a course record time of 2:01.25

Daniel Simiu Ebenyo and the fast-rising 800m runner Emmanuel Wanyonyi settled for second and third place finishes.

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Most Promising Boy of the Year award

Ismael Kipkurui won the Most Promising Boy of the Year award due to his athletics achievements in 2023.

The runners-up award went to the former St. Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale and Junior Stars forward Aldrine Kibet who was a joy to watch last year with talented chess player Nathaniel Muchoki finishing third.

Most Promising Girl of the Year award

Rising Starlets’ red-hot forward Valerie Nekesa earned the Most Promising Girl of the Year award ahead of Bianca Ngecu (golf) and Nancy Cherop (athletics).

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Nekesa scored a lot of goals for the Rising Starlets in the FIFA U20 World Cup qualifiers including a hat-trick against Angola and enjoyed a fine form for her club Madira Soccer Assassins.

Below is a full list of how Kenyan sportspersons performed at the 2023 SOYA Awards

Sportswoman of the Year award

Faith Kipyegon (athletics)

Beatrice Chebet (athletics)

Mary Moraa (athletics)

Sportsman of the Year award

Kelvin Kiptum (athletics)

Daniel Ebenyo (athletics)

Emmanuel Wanyonyi (athletics)

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Coach of the year award

Evelyn Kidogo (Basketball)

School coach of the year

Isaac Muresia (Namwela)

Special Category (Men)

National Special Olympics Handball team

Special Category (Women)

National Special Olympics Beach Volleyball team

Hall of Fame

The late Henry Rono

Sports Team of the Year award (male category)

Kabras Sugar (rugby)

Roll ball national team

National U18 football team

Sports Team of the Year award (female category)

3x3 National basketball team

National volleyball team

Roll ball national team

Most promising (boy) award

Ismael Kipkurui (athletics)

Aldrine Kibet (football)

Nathaniel Muchoki (chess)

Most promising (girl) award

Valerie Nekesa (football)

Bianca Ngecu (golf)

Nancy Cherop (athletics)

School Team of the Year (girls) award

Kwanthanze (volleyball)

Nyamira (hockey)

Butere girls (football)

School Team of the Year (boys) award

Koyonzo (rugby)

Namwela (volleyball)

St. Anthony’s Kitale (football)

Sportswoman of the Year award (with disability)

Asiya Sururu (Para-rowing)

Purity Kandie (Special Olympics)

Nancy Chelagat (Para-athletics)

Sportsman of the Year award (with disability)

David Ngugi (Special Olympics – cycling)

Kelvin Kipkogei (Deaf athletics)

Titus Maundu (Para-athletics)