By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kenyan sprinters Boniface Mweresa and Zablon Ekwam were among the winners as teams and athletes battled it out for the Ksh 17 million prize money at the 2024 BingwaFest Nyanza Region Edition at the Mamboleo Stadium, Kisumu.
The event, which featured multiple disciplines including football, rugby, basketball, and track events, was the second under the BingwaFest umbrella and came less than a month after the Western region edition.
Over 800 athletes took to the track during the three-day sports extravaganza, with 32 football teams and an equal number in basketball, 16 men and 16 women teams in each discipline, and 36 rugby teams – 24 men and 12 women- gracing the event.
True to tradition, BingwaFest awarded equal prize money to the men’s and women’s teams and athletes, championing gender equality in sports.
In athletics, Ekwam crossed the line first, clocking 47:20 over the 400m distance while Mweresa’s 20.42 seconds were enough to see him clinch the top prize in the men’s 100m on top of helping his team claim victories in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Vincent Kipngetich and Loice Chemining won the 10,000m for men and women with a time of 30:14.2 and 33:55.7 respectively while Jonathan Kipkoech and Dalsilah Cherono claimed the 5,000m.
Cherono also doubled up as the 1500m winner alongside Nathan Koech, with Kelvin Loti and Gloria Chepchumba winning in the 800m.
Jackline Wanjala and Mercy Chebet claimed top honours in the women’s 400m and 100m races respectively, with Joan Cherono leading her team to double delight in the relays.
In football, Julu Nyabangu FC trounced over home side and crowd favorite Obunga FC 2-1 in a thrilling final to win the men’s football title as SC Ayaro beat Aguro Queens for the top prize.
The rugby competitions were equally intense, with Shajanad RFC beating Kisii University in the men’s final as Ground Shakers edged out Roars Women in the women’s category to get crowned.
In the men’s 3×3 basketball challenge, Kaimosi Clippers outscored Bulldogs for the first prize as Angels beat Kisumu Warriors in the women’s field. Kolosh Boys and Team Dans finished third in their respective.
Mutua Mutava, Group CEO and MD Betika said “We are incredibly proud to have successfully conducted BingwaFest 2024 for the larger Nyanza region, once again showcasing the immense talent across Kenya. Our belief in empowering communities and supporting sports at all levels remains unwavering. The display of both experienced and upcoming talents reaffirms our commitment to investing in local talent. BingwaFest is more than just competition; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence and unity within the realm of sports.
A heartfelt thank you to the amazing fans who filled the stadium on the final day, creating an electric atmosphere and showing just how much the community stands behind these athletes. Your support is what makes this event so special. We are now finalizing preparations for the next BingwaFest subseries, to be held in the Eastern region, continuing our mission to nurture and support Kenyan athletes.”
This year’s BingwaFest not only celebrated sportsmanship but also rewarded excellence across the board, including upcoming content creators from the region with exceptional content at the event.
