Sports heroes down on bended knee, begging for more

When President William Ruto leads the nation in marking the 60th Mashujaa Day (Heroes Day) celebrations in Kericho today, chances of spotting world-class athletes in the crowds are high.

The 2023 Heroes Day national celebration is happening in a region that has produced world beaters in track and road racing.

Athletes who enjoy red-carpet receptions in major cities worldwide are expected to highlight Kericho Green Stadium, the Mashujaa Day venue.

Most of them often keep low profiles on such occasions. They might quietly exit the venue of the national celebrations without anyone recognising their presence.

In November last year, Kericho laid to rest Wilson Kiprugut Chumo – a two-time Olympic medallist; 800m bronze in 1964 and a silver in the two-lap race in 1968.

Several legendary athletes will perhaps be following the heroes' day keenly on TV and other media.

The list of Kenya’s heroes in sports is inexhaustible. From Tecla Chemabwai Sang, the first Kenyan woman Olympian who won a silver medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics, to Amos Biwott, the first Kenyan man to win gold at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Kenyan legends are basking in the glory of many firsts.

The legendary Kipchoge Keino, the 1968 Olympic 1500m champion, who secured gold in 3,000m steeplechase at the 1972 Olympics, has continued to set the pace in athletics, education and agri-business.

Today, the athletics fraternity is waiting with bated breath to know whether sports icons, who have made Kenya proud since the 1950s, will be recognised as heroes.

"This country owes its athletes better treatment because they are our heroes and have brought us fame on the global stage. I regret that Kiprugut (Chumo) died without a single national honour or medal. Our athletes deserve such accolades,” Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba said during Chumo's funeral at Kipchebor village, Kericho County last November.

There are also history makers like Sabina Chebichii, who became Kenya’s first woman to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974 as well as the legendary Henry Rono, the first man to break four distance world records in a span of 81 days in 1978 (the 3,000m flat, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m).

And then there are the heroes of today. World record holders in various distances and living legends.

World Record holders such as Faith Kipyegon (1500m and Mile), Kelvin Kiptum (men's marathon), Beatrice Chepkoech (3,000m steeplechase) and David Rudisha (800m) are examples of best marks set by Kenyan titans.

Kiptum’s 2:00:35 best mark in the marathon and Kipyegon’s times in 1500m and Mile, were set this year.

Tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi, 19, is also on the rich list of women stars who have broken the glass ceiling in sports.

African 100m record holder and Commonwealth Champion Ferdinand Omanyala too, has inspired confidence in the sprints.

Athletes such as World silver medallists Emmanuel Wanyonyi (800m) and Daniel Ebenyo (10,000m) rose from humble beginnings in Trans Nzoia and Samburu counties respectively to the pinnacle of athletics.

Kericho, the host of today's fete, prides being home to world cross country champion and 5000m star Beatrice Chebet, Olympic 800m silver medallist Ferguson Rotich, among other athletics bigshots.

The neighbouring Bomet County has produced speedsters such as 3000m steeplechase world record holder- Chepkoech, former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot, and World Under-20 champion Reynold Cheruiyot, among others.

The world’s most successful and decorated marathoner has previously been honoured during Mashujaa Day celebrations.

Okutoyi became the first Kenyan girl to win an Australian Open juniors match and the first to go past the second round at a Grand Slam tournament.

Her presence in Melbourne marked Kenya’s appearance at the Grand Slam tourney after a 16-year absence.

Okutoyi introduced herself to the tennis world in 2018, winning six major titles.

Orphaned at birth, she overcame numerous challenges to rise to the top. Okutoyi and her twin sister, Roselida Asumwa never set eyes on their mother, who died while giving birth in 2004.

“I come from a humble background. Growing up, I was heavily into sports like cricket and tennis and my grandmother and coach were very supportive, but I knew deep down that they were struggling to see me succeed,” Okutoyi said.

Talk of football, volleyball, and rugby among other disciplines, and names of heroes, pop up.

Volleyball player Simon Kipkorir, popularly known as Kosirai, heroically became the first Kenyan player to win the Confederation of Africa Volleyball Men's Club Championships title earlier this year.

Kosirai was also named in the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) seven-player dream team as a middle blocker alongside Abderahmane Arab in May.

When we turn to women’s volleyball, big names such as Mercy Moim come up. Her success in representing Kenya at the global scene has seen Moim emerge as one of the top achievers in the sport

Moim was part of the Kenya national team for the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Women’s Volleyball World Championship and captained the national team during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Gaudencia Makokha, Pamela Jepkirui, and Elizabeth Wanyama, just to name a few, have inspired volleyball talents.

Global figures in football are walking tall as they inspire young talents in so many ways.

From Michael Olunga, who plays for Qatari league club Al Duhail and captains the national team Harambee Stars, to Victor Wanyama of CF Montreal and Arnold Origi of Norwegian Sports Club Hereid, Kenyan footballers are making history at the local and global arena.

Veteran Athletes Association Secretary Simon Biwott said the Kenyan government should consider establishing a comprehensive medical cover for the country’s retired sports personalities.

This year’s Mashujaa Day is themed around Universal Healthcare Coverage.

Biwott, winner of 2000 Berlin Marathon, said athletes can best be honoured by being considered for stipends after flying the country’s colours in global competitions.

“We had requested Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to establish stipends for vulnerable retired sportsmen and women,” the veteran athletes' secretary said in Eldoret.