Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has recognized two sporting activities in the country after they were awarded with Head of State Commendation (HSC) during Jamhuri Day celebrations.
Boxing, which is slowly gaining dominance in the country, the upcoming young star Fatuma Zarika was recognized by the president together with Malkia Strikers, the national volleyball team.
Zarika, received the accolade after the boxer recently outshone Zambia’s Catherine Phiri to retain the WBC Super-bantamweight belt through unanimous points at Carnivore grounds in Nairobi.
This follows last year’s dethroning of Jamaican Alicia Ashley for the same title in Michigan, United States and made history as the first Kenyan to win the crown.
But Malkia Strikers deserved the title as the national women’s volleyball team qualified for the World Cup to be staged in Japan come next year after finishing second behind winners Cameroon during the Africa Cup of Nation tournament.
Malkias have had a sensational year having qualified for the African tournament by emerging the best in the Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers in Nairobi last August after seeing off perennial rivals Egypt 3-0 in the final
The Head of State commendation is one of the presidential awards usually given out to outstanding Kenyans who selflessly render their services to the country.