Soya gets Sh750,000 boost from Multichoice

By Feverpitch Reporter

Multi -Choice Kenya is the latest entrant in a list of sponsors for this year’s Safaricom Sportsman’s of the Year Award (Soya).

The company on Tuesday presented a Sh750,000 cheque towards this year’s event and also announced that it will be televised live on SuperSport.

Speaking during the cheque presentation, MultiChoice General Manager Stephen Isaboke said: "The Soya awards have grown to become a point of reference for many of our local sportsmen and women, as it gives them the much needed recognition from a local perspective of their exceptional talent."

Isaboke added that sports is increasingly becoming an important contributor to the country’s economy as well as extending national pride.

Garry Rathbone, Head of Africa-Multichoice said: "Multichoice is considering bringing an international personality to grace the occasion."

Last year, former Nigerian left wing international defender Taribo West graced the gala ceremony that was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).

The annual award event, which celebrates the achievements of local sportsmen and women, will hold its eighth edition at the in KICC, Nairobi, in December.

The sponsorship thrusts SuperSport in the limelight for rewarding Kenya’s outstanding sports personalities as the continental broadcaster will be among the main sponsors.

This year, nominations will not be through short text messages as has been the tradition but will be through a website created by the organisers.

Former world marathon record holder and Soya founder Paul Tergat said he was pleased with Multichoice for coming on board to sponsor the event.

Rewards athletes

"I feel encouraged to see corporate coming on board to sponsor the event that recognises and rewards the best of our country. Together with other sponsors and those who are yet to join us I say you are doing this for posterity for our nation and I applaud you," said Tergat.

This year’s gala will see a new category of the best overall sports personality introduced.

That will be besides the best male and female categories. Among the top contenders for the 2011 honours are Jason Dunford, who won nine gold medals in this year’s All Africa Games in Maputo and record marathoner Patrick Makau who set a new marathon record in Berlin this year and double world athletics winner Vivian Cheruiyot.

Founded eight years ago by Tergat who is also a five time world cross country champion, Soya’s aim to motivate Kenyan youth to take up sports and excel in a variety of disciplines.