World under 20 1,500m champion Purity Chepkirui, world under 20 3,000m champion Teresia Muthoni Gateri, world under 20 3,000m steeplechase champion Jackline Chepkoech, Kenya Junior challenge tennis champion Selline Ahoya and Vihiga Queens Violet Nanjala will battle out for the 2021 Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) titles.
The five young girls will be facing off from their different sports disciplines set for January 19 at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County as the most promising girls in sports.
Chepkirui was nominated following her world under 20 victory to end the nine year dry spell for Kenya to win the title since two time Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Chepngetich Kipyegon had won the title in 2012.
Chepkirui led her compatriot Winnie Jemutai to bronze and went ahead to win the 6km junior women title during the National Cross Country Championships.
Gateri led compatriot Zenah Jemutai to a 1-2 kenyan finish at the world under 20 in the 3,000m to bring back the title that was last won by Mercy Chebwogen since 2012.
Chepkoech won the women’s 3,000m steeplechase to retain Kenya’s dominance in the race that had been won by Celliphine Chespol in 2016 and 2018.
Ahoya from St. Bridget Catholic Primary School pupil leads Kenyan tennis ranking after reaching the finals of the under 14 Confederation of African. Also won the Under 12 East Africa teams’ competition in Kampala, Uganda.
Vihiga Queens Violet Nanjala guided her team at the CAF Women’s Champions League Cecafa Qualifiers when she netted four goals after moving from Trans Nzoia Falcons.
Most promising girls’ nominees
- Selline Ahoya-tennis
- Purity Chepkirui-athletics
- Teresia Muthoni Gatheri- athletics
- Jackline Chepkoech- athletics
- Violet Nanjala- football