By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Iron Ladies and TBM Health are the Season Two national football champions of the Betika BingwaFest following their respective victories in the women’s and men’s finals held at Kinoru Stadium on Sunday, April 5.
Iron Ladies and TBM Health each received KES 1.5 million for winning the women’s and men’s football titles respectively, while runners-up Macmillan Ladies and Al Azizia were awarded KES 750,000. Third-place finishers in both categories earned KES 400,000.
In the women’s football final, Iron Ladies secured a 1-0 victory over Macmillan Ladies, with Mourine Lihanda scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute to seal the title.
The men’s final saw TBM Health defeat hosts Al Azizia 4-3 on post-match penalties after the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Al Azizia opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Abdullah Siraj before Mourice Ngoye equalized for TBM Health in the 56th minute to send the match to penalties where the team from Nyanza region emerged victorious.
“The impact of Betika BingwFest has been massive. This being the second edition, it has been a huge success. It has had a massive impact on the grassroots teams, and they have come in a very big way. As a federation we commend the efforts by Betika towards making this tournament successful,” FKF Chairman Nairobi West Branch Chairman Bernard Omondi said.
In rugby, Kiambaa Women claimed the women’s title after beating Jackals Women 26-13, while Menengai Oilers edged KEMU Pitbulls 5-0 to win the men’s final. Both rugby champions received KES 1.5 million, with Jackals Women and KEMU Pitbulls earning KES 750,000 as runners-up and third-place teams taking home KES 400,000.
Speaking after the match, a Menengai Oilers Captain Collins Okoth said the team approached the tournament determined to go one step further after missing out on the finals last year.
“We came here with one goal, to win. Last year we did not manage to make it to the finals, so this time we prepared well and stayed focused throughout the tournament to make sure we achieved that target,” Okoth said.
In the 3×3 basketball competition, BCG successfully defended their title after beating Basket Bros 20-14 in the men’s final, while Hookies secured the women’s title with an 18-16 victory over Aces. BCG and Hookies each received KES 750,000, with Basket Bros and Aces earning KES 400,000 as runners-up.
Elsewhere, Elites claimed third place in the men’s basketball competition with a 16-14 win over Green Giant, while Board Protectors secured third place in the women’s category following a narrow 17-16 victory over Wizards, with both teams receiving KES 200,000.
Speaking after the conclusion of the tournament, Eric Mwiti, Head of Brand at Betika, thanked the people of Meru for their hospitality and the strong turnout witnessed throughout the national finals.
“We want to sincerely thank the people of Meru for the warm reception and hospitality they have shown during these finals. The turnout has been incredible and it reflects the passion that Meru has for sports. BingwaFest continues to grow into an important platform for grassroots talent, and we are encouraged by the positive feedback and support we continue to receive from stakeholders across the different sports federations. Season two has been good and we are looking forward to an even better third season,” said Mwiti.
On Friday in athletics, defending champion Maureen Chebor successfully retained her women’s 10,000m crown at the Betika BingwaFest National Finals in Meru, while Robert Kiprop produced a surprise victory in the men’s race to headline the athletics action at Kinoru Stadium.
Chebor crossed the line in 32:17.2 to claim back-to-back titles, holding off Phenah Yego, who finished second in 32:20.7, while Miriam Chebet completed the podium in 32:34.9.
Fresh from the Berlin Half Marathon last weekend where he set his person best over the 21-km distance, Kiprop stunned Ebenyo to take the men’s title over 10,000m after clocking 29:06.2. Ebenyo timed 29:08.5 to finish second as Mathew Kipkoech sealed third place in 29:09.8 after a closely fought contest that saw the leading trio separated by just over three seconds at the finish.
Chebor and Kiprop took home KES 400,000 each while the second and third-place finishers received KES 350,000 and KES 300,000, respectively.
The men’s 5,000m also produced a thrilling contest, with Mathew Kipsang claiming victory in 13:52.8, narrowly ahead of Amason Kireu, who finished second in 13:53.55, while Gilbert Kiprotich secured third place in 13:54.03 in another tightly contested race.
In the women’s 5,000m, Miriam Chebet delivered an outstanding performance to win in 15:41.4 and clinch her second medal for the day, narrowly edging Cynthia Chepngeno, who finished second in 15:42.1. Joyline Chepkemoi completed the podium in 15:43.1.
Athletics Kenya Athletes Representative Milcah Chemos hailed the competition, urging the organizers to continue into the third season in a bigger format.
In the 1500m race, Patrick Rotich (3:41.0) led Dominic Kiptoo (3:41.2) and Mathew Kipsang (3:41.5) to glory in the men’s final as Naomi Korir continued her fine running to win the women’s race in 4:15.4 ahead of Miriam Cherop (4:15.9) and Josephine Sembeyo (4:16.2).
Korir then went on to win the 800m title, stopping the clock in 2:00.7to beat Vivian Chebet (2:02.1) and Miriam Chebet (2:02.9). In the men’s race, Nicholas Kiplagat (1:45.0) finished first as Brian Kiptoo (1:45.4) and Laban Chepkwony (1:45.5) finished second and third respectively.
Allan Kipyegon (44.5) won the men’s 400m ahead of George Mutinda (44.9) and Danson Kibet (45.7). In the women’s race, Mercy Chebet (52.5) cut the tape first as Gladys Chepkemboi (52.9) and Lanoline Aoko (53.6) came home second and third, respectively.
In 100m, Moses Wasike (9.9) beat Bonface Mweresa (10.0) and Ronald Koech (10.2) in the men’s final as Millicent Ndoro (11.4) finished ahead of Lanoline Aoko (11.6) and Lucia Williams (11.9).
In the 4X100m relays, Team Nakuru stormed to victory in 39.2 in the men’s final as Team Siaya (39.4) and Team Mombasa (39.8) finished second and third. Nakuru continued their dominance in the women’s race as well with a time of 45.8 as Mombasa (46.8) and Machakos (47.6) finished second and third.
Team Nakuru won the men’s 4X400m as well in a time of (3:04.6) followed by Team Meru (3:06.2) and Mombasa (3:07.9). Team Machakos (3:39.2) won the women’s battle with Team Mombasa (3:43.3) and Team Mumias (3:53.5).
