Echesa, Joho witness coronation of achieving schools as Kipchoge win the overall sports personality of the year award

Kwale Girls High School football head coach Amboko Mukasa (left) receives his trophy from Reuben Ndolo (right) after he was nominated as the coach of the year in schools category during the 15th edition of the SOYA awards at Fort Jesus in Mombasa, January 12, 2019. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Joy and prolonged celebrations swept over on Friday night after Kwale Girls High School won a treble during the 2018 Soya awards held at the iconic and historical Fort Jesus Museum in Mombasa.

The event graced by Cabinet Secretary Hillary Echesa, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Safaricom Chief Special Projects Officer Joseph Ogutu and top world women sprinter Marie Josee Ta Lou from Ivory Coast saw Kwale Girls win three awards to their credit.

The Kwale Queens were declared the girls school team of the year and added two more trophies after their coach Mukasa Amboko, and captain, Elizabeth Kioko, won in the School coach and most outstanding Girls’ player of the year categories, respectively.

“It was a great achievement for Kwale Girls and we deserved the three trophies,” said Amboko after the ceremony adding that the recognition was a morale boost as they prepare to defend the national title this year.

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge after being named the 2018 Sportsman of the Year during the 15th edition of Soya awards held at Fort Jesus in Mombasa on January 11, 2019. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com

Another big win was for Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association who dethroned last year’s winners Athletics Kenya to win the 2018 federation of the year award, which was recived by association’s Chairman Peter Orero and secretary David Ngugi.

KSSSA led the country’s successful title defence campaign that saw Kenyan teams dominate the regional games in Musanze, Rwanda, where they retained the overall title. The country’s boys and girls soccer teams also won gold at the Africa Copa Coca Cola soccer Championship held in Nakuru, Kenya.

They also ensured Kenya joined the Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association body and also the World Secondary Schools Sports Association, guaranteeing participation in international events starting 2019. The association also renewed a five-year sponsorship deal for the national Term One Games and East Africa Games with key partner Brookside Dairy Limited.

The boys’ Safaricom SOYA school team of the year was won by Laiser Hill. Laiser Hill were crowned the 2018 basketball champions at the national Term One games held in Kangaru School, Embu, beating newbies Sigalame who went on to finish seventh at the regional games. The school’s rugby sevens team reclaimed the title at the national games held at Eldoret’s Hill School before clinching the East Africa title in Rwanda.

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge who won the overall sports personality of the year award he was happy to win the title. “It is with deep emotion that I want to thank everyone for this award,” said Kipchoge.