Telecommunication company Safaricom has injected Kshs 16 million ahead of 16th edition of Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) gala set for January 24, 2020 in Mombasa.
With sports personality of the year set to pocket Ksh1 million, the company remains the prime sponsor of the event.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony held in Nairobi Tuesday, SOYA founder Paul Tergat lauded the telecommunication giant adding that the partnership will go a long way in refining the spirit of competition in Kenya’s sports.
“These awards are the highlight of the Kenyan sporting calendar and are growing each year to become a premier sports event. We are honoured to be associated with one of the biggest brands in the country.
Safaricom believed in my dream when I was still an active athlete and 16 years down the line, they continue to walk with us as we reward our sports personalities for their efforts throughout their season,” said the former long-distance runner.
The awards were first held in 2004 with six categories to recognize outstanding athletes across sporting disciplines, and the unique role that sports continue to play in shaping the Kenyan identity
The gala have since grown to include 18 categories, celebrating male and female athletes as well as coaches, community heroes and sports federations across all disciplines.
Speaking during the event, Chief Special Projects Officer Joseph Ogutu noted that as a brand, Safaricom is extremely proud of the growth they have seen since the inaugural SOYA Awards.
“These awards rank second to Safaricom Lewa Marathon in terms of support from the company thanks to good organization and leadership we have witnessed over the years. The categories awarded keep all sports lovers hooked as they reach far and wide and recognize all disciplines. As a company, we are committed to supporting this initiative to greater heights,” he underscored.
Amongst the categories to be awarded include the Overall Sports Personality of the Year, Sportsman and Woman of the Year, Team of the Year for men and women as well as Federation of the Year. Others include Coach of the Year, Community Hero or Heroine usually recognized for their contribution to sports in the community, Hall of Fame and Sports Personalities Living with Disability.
Upcoming athletes are also recognized through Most Promising Award and the School Categories.
In the 15th edition held earlier this year at the Fort Jesus, Eliud Kipchoge emerged the best overall sportsman 2018