Excitement as sports publication hits streets

By Gilbert Wandera

The newest addition to the Standard Media Group stable Game Yetu received an enthusiatic welcome across the country.

Standard Group staff led by the CEO Sam Shollei took to the streets to take the splashy newspaper to the readers.

Sports enthusiasts countrywide lauded the new newspaper, the first English sports publication of its kind locally.

Most people said they liked the full colour presentation and the fact that the publication carries stories on the popular English Premier League (EPL), the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and other major sports.

In Kisumu, expectant vendors could not wait to get their hands on the newspaper, with some turning up at the offices as early as 4:30am.

Right time

Sports fans too were not left behind in welcoming the new publication.

“This is a refreshing paper away from the day to day boring (sic) politics. It is good Standard Group has remembered us,” said George Owiti, a sports fan.

Moses Imbayi, a librarian, said the new publication is a much welcome idea, as daily papers usually don’t give detailed coverage of sports due to space limitations.

“I am happy the paper has come at the right time. It is a lovely one because it gives fans comprehensive coverage of personalities’ social lives and how players perform in the field,” he said.

“We have many sports talents in our youth and this paper will enlighten us on what is required of them to grow,” he said.

In Mombasa, the newspaper struck accord with sports fans immediately it hit the streets.

An avid reader of ‘Standard publications, Gomeri Kombo, said that he liked the presentation and stories carried in the paper.

Informative

“All the reviews and analysis in it are a must read. It surely is a hit but maybe the pagination should be increased,’’ Kombo, a South Coast hotelier, said.

Ashnil Group of Hotels tourism marketer Paul Kurgat hailed the new publication, adding that its contents were informative.

Standard Group Mombasa Bureau staff led by Assistant Director Legal and HR Services Nelly Matheka joined newspaper vendors in strategic locations in selling the newspaper.

New territory

The paper was launched on Monday in Nairobi in an event graced by Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba.

Namwamba lauded the Standard Group for breaking into new territory and predicted that the newspaper will do well in the market.

“A good footballer is always where the ball is but a great footballer knows where the ball will go next.  The Standard Group belongs to the later category because this newspaper is the next big thing,” he said.

Speaking at the function, Shollei said:”We are determined to set the standards for our competitors and the launch of this newspaper is one of the ways we are going to do it. We have been in the business longer than anyone else and it is time we took our rightful place.”

The 24-page English newspaper will provide coverage of all sports disciplines with emphasis on football and will be a bi-weekly.

In Kakamega, sports lovers hailed the launch of the publication as timely, adding that it will keep them up to date on sports event in Kenya and around the world.

“Initially newspapers gave sports very limited space but now we know where we will go when we want extensive coverage of sports news,” said Oscar Lukale.

Revolutionalise sports

Regional Editor Peter Atsiaya , who teamed up with other staff to take the new product to sports enthusiasts in the area, said the paper would revolutionise sports coverage in the country.

“This is a product readers have been waiting for a very long time.  Western Kenya people are lovers of sports especially football and Game Yetu has been received with excitement going by its high sales,” said Atsiaya.

-Additional reporting by Evelyne Kwamboka, Philip Mwakio and Sammy Jakaa