This year’s Sports Personality of the Year awards ( Soya) will be unique, founder of the award scheme, Paul Tergat, said.
Rita Okuthe (left) of Safaricom and Paul Tergat, after the deal was signed, on Tuesday. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO
“We intend to provide our sports people a befitting gala night this year. Together with Safaricom, we will organise a ceremony like no other in every respect,” said Tergat.
Tergat, who is fresh from getting elected into the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive committee, said: “When I look back to the days before this programme, I can appreciate the phenomenal benefits Soya has brought to to our sports life as a country.
“The days when sportmen and women would jet back from international assignments with their medals and disappear into oblivion and gone,thanks to Soya.”
Tergat, who is a former world marathon record holder, said Safaricom Soya awards have certainly played a key role in motivating sports personalities in all disciplines and encouraging them to excel in their careers.
He was speaking at a ceremony where Safaricom gave a sponsorship cheque of Sh12m for the organisation of this year’s gala night.
Safaricom Director of Marketing, Rita Okuthe, who have the cheque, lauded Soya, its founder and panel members for a job well done.
“We at Safaricom are proud to be associated with Soya and out great sportsmen and women and will endevour to recognise their effort,” said Okuthe.
Okuthe said they intend to raise the profile of this calendar event by not only having an inward-looking event, but also allow many others to draw inspiration from their challengers.
“The news of the breaking of world marathon record was welcome after a gloomy weekend. Such are the positive impact sports men and women have had,” she said.
Omulo Okoth, chairman of the panel of judges, said teams that were not included in last edition following the nomination deadline will be included in this year’s edition.
“There are teams whose calendars stretch to the other year, in that case we will stretch them to the following year,” said Omulo.
By JONATHAN KOMEN, The Standard
