By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The final leg of Season Two of the Betika BingwaFest is currently underway in Kwale County and will culminate on Sunday, February 22, at the Kwale Stadium, with up to KES 17 million in prize money up for grabs.
Defending champions in football, Bandari Youth and KNCP Queens, return to defend their football crowns, with both sides keen to stamp their authority once again after last season’s memorable triumph in Mombasa.
Both champions started their second-season campaigns with draws in their opening matches. Bandari Youth were held to a goalless draw by Simba Apparel, whom they beat 1-0 in the final, while KNCP played to a three-all draw against Blue Sea Ladies.
The multi-disciplinary sports festival shifts gears on Thursday, with rugby action set to scrum down at NYS Mtongwe Grounds for the preliminary matches before moving to Kwale Stadium for the finals on Sunday. Basketball will tip off on Friday at Kwale Stadium.
Athletics will also take centre stage on Friday at the Shanzu Teachers Training College. Among the top athletes to watch are Japan-based Wilson Rotiana Lemangale, who will participate in the lucrative 5000m and 10,000m races. Reigning Africa Champion and National Champion over 10,000m, Gladys Kwamboka, will take part in the 5000m and 10,000m races, alongside Ostrava Golden Marathon Mary Munanu.
Fresh from winning the 2km category at the Sirikwa Cross Country, Naomi Korir will line up for the 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 5000m races at Shanzu.
Speaking ahead of the Coast edition, Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti said:
“We are excited to be in Kwale as we conclude the regional qualifiers for the second season. This region has always produced incredible talent across multiple disciplines, and BingwaFest is about giving that talent a platform to shine. Beyond competition, we are creating an opportunity for athletes to test themselves against some of the very best, especially in athletics, where we have top national and international performers. We look forward to an entertaining and competitive weekend as we crown the Coast Bingwas.”
As with previous editions, winners in football and rugby will pocket KES 1 million each, while 3×3 basketball champions will walk away with KES 500,000. The first runners-up for football and rugby will be awarded KES 500,000, while the second runners-up are set to receive KES 250,000. In basketball, the teams that finish second and third will take home KES 250,000 and KES 100,000, respectively.
Gold medalists in the lucrative 10,000m will take home KES 300,000, as the first and second runners-up will pocket KES 250,000 and KES 200,000, respectively. The athletes who finish fourth and fifth will round off the prize bracket and will receive KES 100,000 and KES 75,000.
In the 5,000m category, winners will be awarded KES 250,000, second-place finishers KES 150,000, third place KES 100,000, fourth place KES 50,000, and fifth place KES 30,000.
Prizes for the top five in the 100m, 4000m, 800m, and 1,500m will be the same, with gold medalists receiving KES 150,000, silver medalists KES 100,000, and bronze medalists KES 60,000. The fourth and fifth place finishers will pocket KES 30,000 and KES 20,000.
Beyond the action on the field, Betika BingwaFest continues to champion community impact and will hold a medical camp free of charge throughout the weekend at Kwale Stadium, offering general consultation services, specialist consultation services, laboratory, and pharmacy services.
Men’s football teams: Sango Sportiff FC, S.S Assad, Bumbani Stars, Wayzata Boys FC, Rwafa FC, L-15 FC, Kombani Youth, Ubuntu FC, Kwale United SC, Zaire FC, Good Hope SA, Simba Apparel, Azzam United, Bandari Youth, Coast Stars, Ganzoni FC
Women’s football teams: Red Sea Majestic Starlets, Kidogo Basi Starlets, Arrows of Kajembe, Mgalani Queens, Diani Tigress, Ukunda Vision Starlets, Kayatiwi Girls, Red Queens, Kisauni Starlets, Eleven Starlets, Agro Queens, Marine Starlets, Kubo Starlets, KNCP Queens, Oceans D Ladies, Blue Sea Ladies
