Kenyan international Duke Abuya was named the best International Award during the inaugural Uasin Gishu Soccer Night Awards held on Sunday night in Eldoret.
The event, organized by Palac Sports Consultancy in recognizing top talents in the county. Led by Teddy Lameck, they compiled a total of 26 competitive awards for players who play at the branch level to the international class.
Abuya, who started his career with GFE 105 in Eldoret, went ahead to play for Nkana FC in Zambia was regarded as the face of the County following his exploits both locally and internationally.
The Harambee Stars midfielder who now plays with the newly promoted Kenya Premier league side Kenya Police has also set up a junior training camp in Eldoret to nurture young talents in the region that used to have the best football teams in yester years starting from Kenya cooperative Creameries (KCC), Raymond, Mahakama FC, Rivatex among others.
The former Kariobangi Sharks player is seen in the country as the mirror for many upcoming footballers.
George Onyango, who plays for National super League side Administration Police (APS) Bomet was rewarded with Best National Award category.
GFE 105 long serving goalkeeper Macharia Mburu was the Special Awards winner while Best Young Player women went to Susan Achieng of Hanna Queens as Tumkas was the Most Disciplined team.
Audrey Nongesa won the women’s Best goalkeeper award. The lady who stands between the posts of UOE Queens collected 434 votes to emerge victorious.
Lameck said the event was 90% successful being the first one and noted few challenges that they are going to work on to make the next event big and better
“The process was fully transparent and we didn’t interfere with the system. It was all about hunting votes. I could have loved my team and my hood to carry the day but it was about professionalism and fair play and that’s exactly what we should preach each and every day,” said Lameck.
He added that all the nominees are actually winners and it was not easy to appear on that list.
“I want to congratulate you guys for making Uasin Gishu county proud in football. To the winners it’s a big congratulations you excelled both in the field and outside the field and that is why you emerged winners of the day. Congratulations one more time to the winners,” he added.