Standard FC finish fourth at SJAK tourney

Standard Team pose for a group photo before their semifinals match against Mozzart Sports during the SJAK Sports Day. [Stafford Ondego,Standard] 

Standard Group FC finished fourth in Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports Day inter media five- a-side football tournament at Galleria Arena on Saturday.

The team fell 5-0 to eventual winners Nation FC in the semifinals, whom they also squared off in the group stages of the 16-team tournament. 

This was the former Road To Anfield champions’ first tournament since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Despite the defeat, Standard FC captain Rodgers Eshitemi said he was pleased with the team’s performance.

“I’m really proud of the boys’ performance, team work and fighting spirit both on and off the pitch. It's been long since we last featured in a such tournament that also acted as a bonding session for the players. I think we outdid ourselves and we are looking forward to building on this performance,” said Eshitemi.

Brian Amulyoto, who was Standard’s top scorer in the tournament with 8 goals was equally impressed with the performance.

“Though we didn’t win the trophy, I feel it was a good outing for the boys and we need to build on it,” said Amulyoto.

Nation Media beat SuperSport 3-2 to lift the trophy and consequently pocket Sh50,000 in prize money while SuperSport who beat CGTN 3-1 in the semi-finals, received Sh30,000.

Third placed CGTN pocketed Sh 20,000.

The event was sponsored by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) which funded the prize money, SuperSport gave merchandise for the top teams and Bounty Limited manufacturers of Safari Energy Drink and Safari Water were the beverage sponsors.

Spanish top flight league LaLiga also came on board as SJAK's partners.

The event was sponsored by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) which funded the prize money, SuperSport gave merchandise for the top teams and Bounty Limited manufacturers of Safari Energy Drink and Safari Water were the beverage sponsors.

Spanish top flight league LaLiga also came on board as SJAK's partners.

Laliga delegate Alvaro Abreu said he looks forward to a better working relationship with the association.

"This is more than we expected and really I'm happy that the event was successful. We hope to make it bigger and better. We thought it was just one of the many events we have hosted but it turned out to be competitive which was a good thing," offered Alvaro.

Chief guest, former Football Kenya Federation(FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya called on sponsors to support SJAK objectives and future events.

"First of all I congratulate the new SJAK officials and more so for staging the event that has brought together various media houses. For more of these events to happen, they need sponsors to come on board and support their course. I'm happy to grace the occasion and see media houses battle for top honours," said Nyamweya.

Head of Business Strategy Bounty Limited Christopher Kandie said their entrance in the event was timely.

"We are a homegrown product and we are excited and happy to be part of this event which is also homegrown. We hope to make it bigger and better in the coming events and make it part of a long term growth plan," said Kandie.

SJAK president James Waindi expressed his satisfaction and excitement with the tournament saying it was a success.

He said that the event was a full house based on the turnout and interest shown by the media houses in participation.

"The tournament afforded journalists an opportunity to bond, network and release their pressures of work.

Waindi pledged to make the next tournament bigger and better adding that it will be annual.