The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

AK and Nock fetes clash

Weird News

By The Standard Sports | Dec 09, 2010

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Athletics Kenya (AK) Golden Gala and National Olympics Committee of Kenya (Nock) Night of Champions will be held on the same evening after the former elected not to postpone their fete.

Speaking to FeverPitch yesterday, the chair of organising committee of AK Golden Gala, Joseph Kinyua, said, "We will proceed to the Crowne Plaza for our ceremony after our Annual General Meeting for our awards. We have not received official communication from Nock to postpone our awards.

"It was common knowledge that we had launched our awards for December 15 and we moved our AGM to the afternoon of the same day to respect the wishes of our Head of State who will award the athletes during the day."

On Tuesday, Nock announced they would be hosting their Night of Champions at the Carnivore Restaurant on the same evening where they urged AK to bring forward or postpone their Golden Gala.

Keep Reading

"Indeed, we have received letters from Nock inviting our team managers but not to request us to bring forward or push back our event, so it will go ahead," Kinyua stated.

gold medallists

At the same time, the organising committee of the first ever AK fete to honour athletes released the names of those in line for recognition.

In it 47 gold medallists, five world record holders, Samuel Wanjiru, the World Marathon Majors repeat champion as well as team leaders to World Cross, World Juniors, Africa Championships, IAAF Intercontinental Cup and World Half Championships are in line to receive plaques and cash awards.

"We will not announce how much we will award our winners since we are still receiving sponsorship for our Golden Gala and this should go to our winners," Kinyua disclosed.

He added: "We have already sent invitation cards to intended recipients, chief guests and Ministry of Sport officials so there is no way we can turn back now."

State House

Kinyua revealed AK’s AGM had been subsequently moved from 8pm on December 15 to 2pm to allow time for federation officials invited for the State House fete to be in attendance.

"We will honour the Presidential function as required, that is why we will move our meeting to accommodate it in our programme for the day.

"We have no opposition to Nock honouring our athletes and our insistence to continue with our ceremony is not to clash with them. It is upon the athletes to choose where they will be."

Nock are set to award gold medallists Sh500,000 and their equivalent at junior categories getting Sh300,000 although they will honour only those who won at the Commonwealth Games (11) in Delhi and Olympic Youth Games (three) in Singapore. Silver winners will also receive cash awards.