Several coaches lined-up for SOYA award in the schools category, event scheduled for Friday

Kwanthanze Secondary School coach Justin Kigwari and Stephen Kigai of Nyamira Girls High School are among 11 tacticians nominated for the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) set for Friday in Nairobi.

The 11 are battling it out in the School Coach of the Year as the schools’ category returns to SOYA having last featured in 2019 before the COVID-19 struck leading to the suspension of sporting activities. Eliud Okwemba (Koyonzo Boys High School), Shimenga Livondo (Butula Boys High School), Peter Mayoyo (St Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale), Gilbert Kaisha (Kesogon Secondary School), Isaac Muresia (Namwela Secondary School) and Kevin Asuba (Shanderema Boys High School) will also be contesting for the prestigious award.

Completing the list are Austin Musumba (St Joseph’s Boys High School, Kitale, and the Butere Girls High School duo of Howard Shikanga and Chris Odeke.

While Kigwari will be looking for his second SOYA award, the rest will be hoping that lady luck smiles on them as they chase their maiden accolades in the annual sports gala.Kigwari had a very memorable year with Kwanthanze despite losing their national title to Kesogon. Kigwari guided them to retain their title and secure their seventh regional gong. Kigwari did not stop there as he masterminded their win over Morocco’s Lycee Bin Anzarane to be crowned African champions.

Kigai ended Nyamira’s 32-year wait for a second national hockey title after they triumphed in Eldoret. He was not satisfied and went on to ensure the Siaya County school clinched the regional title in Huye, Rwanda ending Uganda’s reign in the discipline.

For Okwemba, it was yet another successful year at the helm of Koyonzo Boys High School as they swept all before them to win the rugby sevens titles right from the sub-county to the East African level. Okwemba also guided the school to success in the Prescott Cup Western Region finals.

Another rugby man, Shimenga Livondo has also made the cut after making history with Butula Boys High School. The former St Peter’s Mumias tactician guided the Busia County school to their maiden national rugby 15s crown after crushing All Saints Embu High School 38-0 in the final. Shimenga also tasted success at the regional level as his charges secured silver.