Olympian Ekwam, Mweresa star at Nyanza BingwaFest Edition

Basketball action during the Nyanza Bingwafest festival. [Courtesy]

Olympian Zablon Ekwam and sprint sensation Boniface Mweresa were the star attractions in the 2024 BingwaFest Nyanza Region Edition held at Mamboleo Stadium in Kisumu at the weekend.

The multiple sports event saw athletes and teams walk home with total purse money of Sh17 Million which was up for grabs.

Ekwam clocked 47:20 to win the men's 400m category as Mweresa ended the tape in 20.42 seconds to lift the men's 100m race.

Mweresa also steered his batch to claim victories in both the men's 4x100m and the men's 4x400m relays.

Vincent Kipngetich (30:14.2) and Loice Chemining (33:55.7) triumphed in the men and women's 10,000m categories in that order.

Jonathan Kipkoech and Dalsilah Cherono were the men and women's 5,000m champions.

Cherono also doubled up as the women's 1500m winner as Nathan Koech lifted the men's gong in the contest.

Hotly contested 800m categories went to Kelvin Loti and Gloria Chepchumba.

Jackline Wanjala and Mercy Chebet claimed top honours in the women's 400m and 100m races respectively, with Joan Cherono leading her team to double delight in both women's relays.

In football, Julu Nyabangu FC trounced hosts and crowd favorite Obunga FC 2-1 in a thrilling final to win the men's title as SC Ayaro beat Aguro Queens for the top women's prize.

Rugby competitions were equally intense, with Shajanad RFC beating Kisii University in the men's final as Ground Shakers RFC edged out Roars Women RFC to clinch the women's crown.

In the men's 3x3 basketball challenge, Kaimosi Clippers outscored Bulldogs for the top prize as Angels beat Kisumu Warriors to lift the women's contest.

Kolosh Boys and Team Dans finished third in the respective 3x3 basketball categories.

"We are incredibly proud to have successfully conducted BingwaFest 2024 for the larger Nyanza region, once again showcasing the immense talent across Kenya. Our belief in empowering communities and supporting sports at all levels remains unwavering. The display of both experienced and upcoming talents reaffirms our commitment to investing in local talent,"Mutua Mutava, Group CEO and MD Betika, said.

"BingwaFest is more than just a competition; it's about fostering a culture of excellence and unity within the realm of sports.

A heartfelt thank you to the amazing fans who filled the stadium on the final day, creating an electric atmosphere and showing just how much the community stands behind these athletes.

Your support is what makes this event so special. We are now finalizing preparations for the next BingwaFest subseries, to be held in the Eastern region, continuing our mission to nurture and support Kenyan athletes," he added.

The event was the second edition of the 2024 BingwaFest series and came less than a month after the Western Region Edition.

The Nyanza showpiece attracted over 800 athletes who took to the track during the three-day sports extravaganza.

About 32 football teams and an equal number in basketball (16 men and 16 women teams) and 36 rugby teams (24 men and 12 women) also took part in the showdown.

True to its tradition event awarded equal prize money to the men's and women's teams and athletes, therefore championing for gender equality in sports.

The Nyanza event did not only celebrate sportsmanship but also rewarded excellence across the board, including upcoming content creators from the region with exceptional contents during the occasion.