14th Edition of the SOYA Awards

World Paralympic champion Samuel Muchai was crowned the 2017 Sports Personality of the year in the SOYA awards gala held Wednesday night at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). Muchai who won a gold medal beating Elijah Manangoi and Hellen Obiri. Conseslus Kipruto was named the sports man of the year. He is the T11 2016 Paralympic Champion.This was the 14th edition since its inception.
5,000m World and Diamond League Series champion Hellen Obiri won the Sportswoman of the Year award, beating Faith Chepng’etich and world marathon silver medallist Edna Kiplagat.
National under 19 boys’ Cricket team that is taking part in the World ICC cricket cup in New Zealand was named the men’s sports team of the year.
Women’s sports team of the year gong was won by Kenya Lionesses while Kenya Cricket coach Jimmy Kamande won the coach of the year award.
In the federation of the year awards category, Athletics Kenya was named the best.
The Government looks to allocate KSh 500million to fund sporting activities after betting firm SportPesa pulled out of sports sponsorship in the country protesting new regulations passed by Parliament to control gambling that will see gaming, betting and lottery companies pay up to 35% tax