Final preparations for the 21st edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) are complete ahead of tomorrow’s gala night at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), where Kenya’s top athletes will be honoured for their 2024 exploits.

Themed “Celebrating Women Excellence in Sports”, this year’s event will spotlight the remarkable achievements of female sports stars, led by Olympic champions Beatrice Chebet, Faith Kipyegon and marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich, who headline the Sportswoman of the Year nominees.

SOYA panel chairperson Chris Mbaisi said the selection process had been rigorous, with judges working round the clock to sift through nominations, especially after what he described as one of the busiest sporting years for Kenya.

He pointed to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Junior Starlets’ historic qualification for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup as standout events.

Chebet dominated 2024, winning double gold at the Paris Olympics (5,000m and 10,000m), defending her World Cross Country title, and shattering two world records in the 10,000m (28:54.14) and 5km road race (13:54).

Her 10,000m feat at the Prefontaine Classic made her the first woman to dip under 29 minutes, toppling Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey’s 2021 mark.

Kipyegon, 30, also dazzled. She smashed her own 1,500m world record at the FBK Games in Hengelo with 3:49.04, won silver in the 5,000m, and retained her Olympic 1,500m crown with a new Olympic record of 3:51.29. The feat made her the first woman to win three straight Olympic 1,500m titles. Kipyegon also capped the year with a record fifth Diamond League trophy.

In the men’s category, Olympic 800m gold medallist Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Africa light middleweight boxing champion Boniface Mugunde and 5,000m Olympic silver medallist Ronald Kwemoi lead the race. Wanyonyi kept Kenya’s 800m legacy intact by clinching gold in Paris and retaining his Diamond League title.

Meanwhile, Mugunde broke a seven-year wait by securing Kenya’s first Africa boxing title since 2017, while Kwemoi added to the country’s medal haul with silver in a tactical 5,000m face-off.

Paralympians will also be recognised, with long jump silver medallist Samson Ojuka and World Ability Youth Games double gold winner Michelle Chepng’etich among the top contenders. Ojuka’s 6.20m jump not only earned him silver in Paris but also broke the African record previously held by South Africa’s Andrea Dalle Ave since 2015. He edged out Brazilian Cardoso on countback and finished second behind Argentina’s Brian Lionel (6.42m).

The awards, founded by athletics icon Paul Tergat, will reward excellence in 11 categories including Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Sports Personality with a Disability, Coach of the Year, Men’s and Women’s Teams, School Teams and Coaches and the Hall of Fame.

Tergat is also expected to unveil initiatives on mental wellness, finance training and CSR for athletes, as part of SOYA’s evolving legacy.