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  • World Indoor Championships: Ejore carries Kenya’s medal hopes on tough Day 2

    World Indoor Championships: Ejore carries Kenya’s medal hopes on tough Day 2

    After a promising opening day for Kenya at the World Indoor Championships staged in Nanjing, China where four athletes- Lilian Odira, Noah Kibet, Alex Ngeno and Susan Ejore sailed into their respective 800m semi-finals and 1,500m final respectively, Day 2 was a tough outing as no Kenyan progressed to the next stage or won the finals staged on Saturday.

    Odira, African 800m silver medalist was the first in action on Saturday’s morning session in the women’s 800m semis. The 25-year-old who had clocked 2:04.46 to finish second in Heat 1 on Friday behind Portugal’s Patricia Silva (2:04.44), failed to book a final spot after finishing last in Heat 1. Odira clocked 2:16.12 in a race won by Ethiopia’s Tsige Duguma in 2:03.85.

    Less than half an hour later, Kibet and Ngeno entered the track with the hopes of making it into the finals and raise Kenya’s hopes of medaling, but the hopes were shattered after they both finished fourth in Heats 1 and 3 respectively.

    Kibet, a bronze medalist at the 2021 World Indoor championships in Belgrade stopped the clock at 1:48.90 in a race won by America’s Josh Hoey in 1:45.23. Ngeno on the other hand clocked 1:47.53 trailing behind race winner America’s Brandon Miller (1:46.84), Netherland’s Samuel Chapple (1:47.05) and Algeria’s Heithem Chenitef (1:47.30).

    Both had finished second in their respective heats on Friday with Kibet timing 1:48.31 behind American Josh Hoey while Ngeno crossed the finish line in 1:48.17 with Czech Republic’s Jakub Dudycha winning in 1:48.04.

    One could think the afternoon session could salvage something for Kenya but that didn’t pan as expected. All eyes were on Purity Kajuju Gitonga and Cornelius Kemboi as they took on big shots in the 3,000m.

    Kajuju was eyeing a podium place in a race that yielded the only medal for Kenya in Glasgow last year, through steeplechase record holder Beatrice Chepkoech, as she came up against big names including Australia’s Jessica Hull (an Olympic silver medalist) and Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu (a world indoor 1500m champion).

    Just like her compatriots in the morning session, luck was not on her side as she finished a distance eighth after clocking 8:44.56 in a race dominated by the big guns. Hailu won the race in 8:37.21 as America’s Shelby Houlihan came in second in 8:38.26. Hull completed the podium after clocking 8:38.28.

    In the men’s 3,000m race, Kenya’s sole competitor Kemboi- a 5,000m African bronze medalist, failed to handle the pressure and earn the nation her first medal at the ongoing championships. Although he set a new personal best with his 7:49.00, the effort was not enough even for a podium finish as he finished eighth.

    Race favorite Norway’s Jakon Ingebrigtsen, a two-time Olympic champion won the race in 7:46.09- a season best. He was followed closely by Berihu Aregawi of Ethiopia who clocked 7:46.25 also a SB as Australia’s Ky Robinson completed the podium in 7:47.09.

    Kenya’s hopes for a medal this time lies on Susan Ejore who will race in the women’s 1,500m final on Sunday at 3.54pm EAT. She will be up against a stack field comprising the Ethiopian duo of Gudaf Tsegay and Diribe Welteji.

    America’s Heather Maclean and Georgia Hunter Bell from Great Britain will also pose threat to Ejore’s hopes of raising the Kenyan flag high. The race promises fireworks as the five ladies have a PB of under 4:03.

    The United States-based runner clocked 4:12.41 in Heat 1 of the women’s 1500m on Friday afternoon to book her ticket in the final. Tsegay won the Heat after stopping the timer at 4:11.87, ahead of second-placed Sinclaire Johnson of the United States, who ran 4:12.18.

    Others who made Team Kenya to Nanjing included Vivian Chebet, Dorcus Ewoi, Collins Kipruto and Festus Lagat failed to go past their respective heats. Chebet finished fourth in women’s 800m Heat 2 while Kipruto finished last in the men’s 800m Heat 2 as Lagat missed the semis after finishing third in the men’s 1,500m Heat 4 on Friday.

  • Oilers, Nondies eye Kenya Cup semis as Zetech Oaks and Catholic Monks fight for survival

    Oilers, Nondies eye Kenya Cup semis as Zetech Oaks and Catholic Monks fight for survival

    Menengai Oilers will be banking on home advantage when they welcome Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad to the Nakuru ASK Showground in a high-stakes Kenya Cup playoff clash today.

    The Nakuru-based side, which finished third in the regular season, is determined to book a semi-final date with second-placed KCB.

    However, Blak Blad, known for their fast, free-flowing rugby, will be out to cause an upset and keep their championship dreams alive.

    Meanwhile, the iconic Ngong Road Derby takes center stage as fourth-placed Nondescripts host fifth-placed Kenya Harlequin at the Ngong Racecourse.

    With a place in the semi-finals against defending champions Kabras Sugar at stake, both teams are expected to throw everything into the fixture.

    The excitement is not limited to the Kenya Cup alone, as the Championship playoffs also heat up with promotion to the top tier on the line.

    Zetech Oaks will host JKUAT Cougars in a must-win encounter, while Catholic Monks face a tricky test against a resurgent Homeboyz side.

    In the Kenya Cup Women’s playoffs, Northern Suburbs will face off against Impala, while NYS Ladies take on Rongo University. The winners will advance to the semi-finals, where Kenya Harlequins and Mwamba await.

  • WRC 2025 Safari Rally: Evans, Rovanpera fire Toyota to the top after day 2

    WRC 2025 Safari Rally: Evans, Rovanpera fire Toyota to the top after day 2

    Elfyn Evans was on fire as  Toyota fought back to claim two top spots on Day 2 of the third leg of the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Safari Rally in Naivasha.

    Evans clocked 2:00:45.4 to open a 7.7-second lead at the apex where he eclipsed Day 1 leader, Estonian and Hyundai superman Ott Tanak. His teammate and Safari Rally defending champion Kalle Rovanpera (2:00:53.1) ended the day second as Tanak settled for third in 2:01:40.8.

    World champion, Thierry Neuville of Hyundai strived to move from eighth to fourth, reviving his hope for a first-ever podium finish on Kenyan soil.

    Carl Tundo was the best-placed Kenyan driver at 16th and the multiple national champion is praying for the heavens to open up on today as he does well on very slippery surfaces.

    The drivers tackled eight stages on a challenging day including Camp Moran (31.4km), Loldia (19.11km), Kengen Geothermal (13.18km) and Kedong (15.10km) whose loops were repeated in the afternoon.

    The day was characterized by various mechanical breakdowns that frustrated so many drivers, especially Tanak whose dream to keep his top spot on the leaderboard intact was smoked out.

    The 2019 world champion lost grip on the eighth stage (Lodia 2), where he had oil problems with his engine.

    Tanak’s woes continued at the Kengen Geothermal 2 where he suffered mechanical problems which forced him to move slowly, losing time which dropped him to third.

    Tanak had hoped to claw back the lead in the final round at stage 10 (Kedong 2) but he suffered a similar fate to end the day a very frustrated man.

    Commenting on his top spot ahead of the Saturday showpiece that will traverse Sleeping Warrior (26.97km), Elmenteita  (17.31km) and Soysambu  (28.97km) Evans stated:

    “We are happy to be in the driving seat, we now need to keep the rhythm on this lead, we know we still have a long way to go so we are  holding on and avoiding imminent mistakes.”

    Rovanpera, who won three stages of the day, noted that the morning runs did not favour him so he had to step up and salvage the Toyota ship in the noon.

    It was a very brutal day for most drivers who suffered broken suspensions and driveshaft problems on the punishing Naivasha landscape.

    At Camp Moran, Kenya’s Aakif Virani failed to start after failing his scrutineering test. The stage proved cumbersome for Neuville, Jourdan Serderidis, Gus Greensmith, Pulligilla Naveen and Hamza Anwar who were slapped with various penalties.

    Takamoto Katsuta of Toyota also suffered a puncture as well while George Vasilakis had mechanical gremlins.

    Toyota’s Sami Pajari, who had a broken window on the opening day also suffered a similar fate at the location.

    At Camp Moran 2, run in the afternoon, Oliver Solberg got completely stuck in the sand and this derailed his effort to compensate for the time lost.

    Josh McErlean had a problem with his exhaust, forcing him to stop for the repair after the whole vehicle was engulfed in smoke.

    Adrien Fourmaux had a double tragedy as he broke his right suspension and suffered a puncture. Neuville too had little damage on the front of his car.

    WRC Safari Rally Day 2 Selected Results

    1.    Elfyn Evans (Toyota) 2:00:45.4
    2.    Kalle Rovanpera (Toyota) 2:00:53.1
    3.    Ott Tanak (Hyundai) 2:01:40.8
    4.    Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) 2:02:16.8
    5.    Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) 2:04:11.8
    6.    Sami Pajari (Toyota) 2:05:04.5
    7.    Joshua McErlean (Ford Puma) 2:06:20.8
    8.    Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Toyota) 2:06:39.2
    9.    Gus Greensmith (Skoda Fabia) 2:06:49.4
    10. Jan Solans (Toyota) 2:07:19.5
  • McCarthy not giving up on World Cup dream as subs Bajaber, Lenkupae salvage a point for Stars on debut

    McCarthy not giving up on World Cup dream as subs Bajaber, Lenkupae salvage a point for Stars on debut

    Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy is far from giving up on his dream to inspire the team to its maiden World Cup finals despite dropping points in his first assignment since taking up the role on 3 Friday this month replacing Turkish Engin Firat.

    McCarthy’s charges came from behind three times to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw against The Gambia in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier staged at the 60, 000 seater Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday night.

    The two points dropped certainly complicated Stars’ chances of closing in on the two top teams in Group F and getting closer to sealing a World Cup ticket but the South African legend still feels the team has a chance saying ‘You will be a fool to give up’  despite the odds appearing to be in favor of the top two Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire.

    “I think even the opposing coach will tell you that teams will drop points somewhere down the line. Gambia can beat Ivory Coast as much as they can beat Gabon. Kenya can beat Ivory Coast and Gabon. It is very open,” remarked the former Cape Town City FC coach.

    Although the result isn’t good for their qualification hopes, the South African feels there’s plenty of room for improvement: “So happy with the point, happy with what I’ve seen and lots to progress, lots to improve. The positivity that I’ve seen today gives me a bit of hope that we can go one step better than today.”

    The former Manchester United first team coach was amazed with the fighting spirit in his team which he has coached a couple of time since he took charge.

    “Fortunately, the boys had a lot of fight in them, character, personality…never say die attitude fight till the end and we manage to get a last gasp opportunity,” said McCarthy who is the Bafana Bafana top goal-scorer on 31 goals in 79 stats.

    McCarthy believes that Kenya has enough matches to catch up with the two top teams and sail through.

    “The teams sitting at the top took the opportunity to collect points early. We have five games to go, which means there are many points up on offer. We are hopeful,” he added.

    Despite the hopeful comments and praises to his players coach McCarthy expressed disappointment after his charges missed opportunities that could have killed the game early.

    “We had some golden opportunities early in the first half that we failed to convert. The changes made after the break, introducing some fresh legs, changed the game,” he remarked.

    How the action unfolded

    The match started slowly but transformed into an action-packed second half. Harambee Stars displayed their intentions right away, with Richard Odada nearly finding the net early on. Captain Michael Olunga also missed a key chance, sending a header wide from a Rooney Onyango cross.

    The host team started to dominate possession, looking for spaces to hurt Kenya. The Stars, however, remained tight at the back and dangerous on the counterattack. Gambia’s breakthrough came when Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh came close to scoring, but Kenya’s goalkeeper, Ian Otieno, made a crucial save.

    The tension increased when Otieno gave away a penalty after a late challenge on Alieu Federa, but he made amends by saving Musa Barrow’s spot-kick, keeping the score level as the teams headed into halftime.

    Controversies also formed a part of the tense first half when the Gambian skipper Omar Colley handled the ball in the 39th minute with a Kenyan player through on goal, denying him a clear chance. The referee, however, showed only a yellow card, despite protests from Kenya, who demanded a red card.

    After the break, McCarthy made an attacking change at the restart, bringing on Australia-born William Lenkupae for his debut, replacing the largely quiet Gonzalez.

    Ten minutes into the second half, Barrow made amends to his missed penalty after scoring a spectacular goal to give The Gambia the lead. Six minutes later, Minteh made it 2-0 after twisting and turning Anyembe inside the area before beating Otieno again. Moments later, Otieno denied Gambia a third with a goal-line block as Kenya’s backline struggled.

    Stars got a lifeline midway through the second half when they were awarded a spot kick after Momodou Njie was adjudged to have brought down Jonah Ayunga in the box a penalty which talisman McCarthy termed as ‘soft’ adding he would have been furious if the same penalty was awarded to the opponent.

    Six minutes later, substitute Mohammed Bajaber stole the show with a wonderful strike from inside the area to level the scores and set the stage for a tense finish.

    Gambia, went ahead again in the 83rd minute through Barrow, who literally walked the ball into the net after Kenya’s defense stood waiting for an offside flag that never came.

    Kenya would however have the last say in the game when Lenkunpae scored a 96th minute leveler on his debut.

    Perfect substitutes secure Stars’ points on debut

    Getting the call up to the national team for the first time is really joyous but the feeling gets better when you enter the pitch even for a few minutes. However, the feeling gets even better when you score on your debut. That was the reality for Mohammed Bajaber and  William Lenkupae who both scored on debut to level the game at different time with the former leveling for 2-2 while Lenkupae scored the 96th minute equalizer.

    Bajaber, who came on together with Jonah Ayunga replacing John Avire and Erick Johanna scored the Stars’ second goal on the 75th minute after unleashing a long range shot that beat the Gambian goalie Ebrima Jarju. As Gambia looked set to secure all three points, Lenkupae equalized in the dying moments of added time capitalizing on a long throw-in to send the Stars bench wild, securing a crucial point for Harambee Stars.

    Bajaber credit his goal to practice saying: “It was not by luck, as I have been working on the art for some time. I used to be the first player to be on the pitch, during my times at City Stars just to fine-tune my scoring instincts. I have also been putting in individual effort at my current club (Kenya Police).”

    Bajaber also scored on his Police debut after switching from City Stars during the mid-season transfer in January.

    Rival Watch

    Kenya play Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday at 4pm.

    Stars Sunday opponents shot to the top of the group after a double from Denis Bouanga and an opener by Jim Allevinah inspired  them to an easy 3-0 home win over lowly-ranked Seychelles.

    Gabon top group F on 12 points after five games while Kenya sits fourth with six points. Gambia remain fifth with four points while Cote d’Ivoire sit second on 10 as Burundi settle for third on seven points. The two sides face off today.

     

     

  • Defending champion Rovanpera eyes Safari Rally hat-trick as Tundo braces for tough race

    Defending champion Rovanpera eyes Safari Rally hat-trick as Tundo braces for tough race

    Safari Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera reckons he has what it takes to conquer Kenya’s unforgiving terrains yet again for a third title when the WRC Safari Rally revs off today.

    The Finnish ace dominated last year’s event, clocking 3:36:04 to clinch victory and bag 20 crucial championship points.

    His Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate, Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta, secured second place in 3:37:41.8, while Frenchman Adrien Fourmaux completed the podium in 3:38:29.1.

    Rovanpera’s first taste of Safari Rally glory came in 2022 when he stormed to victory in 3:40:24.9, ahead of Elfyn Evans (3:41:17.7) and Katsuta (3:42:07.6).

    Alongside his trusted navigator Jonne Halttunen, the 24-year-old is determined to defend his title and cement his dominance on Kenyan soil.

    “We have won it a few times so we’ll try to win it again. Not one of the easiest Rally’s to win but we will do my best,” Rovanpera said who is navigated by Jonne Halttunen.

    “This is one of the most demanding rallies of the season. The conditions are brutal, but it’s an important event for me and Toyota. I’m excited to be here.”

    While Rovanpera has ruled the Safari Rally in recent years, his 2025 WRC campaign has been a mixed bag. He opened the season with a sixth-place finish in Monte-Carlo before settling for fifth in Sweden.

    With the Kenyan leg notorious for punishing both cars and drivers, the defending champion is banking on a more measured approach.

    “We will just try to stay consistent and avoid all car troubles,” the 24-year-oldadded. Rovanpera got a feel of the course during Wednesday’s 5km shakedown at Sleeping Warrior and acknowledged that this year’s event could be even tougher.

    “I think so far the car looks really good. This year it’s going to be rougher than before so I think it will be tougher,” he said.

    Toyota has been the team to beat since the Safari Rally returned to the WRC calendar in 2021. Sebastien Ogier won the 2021 and 2023 editions, while Rovanpera secured the 2022 and 2024 crowns.

    Rovanpera believes they can extend their dominance in Kenyan soil but remains wary of the unpredictability of the Safari Rally.

    “We will be strong like before but you never know with the Rally, it is so unpredictable. We will for sure get a lot of competition,” he said.

    Toyota currently leads the manufacturer’s standings after the two legs in Monte-Carlo and Sweden—sitting top on 120 points followed by Hyundai with 72 and M-Sport Ford with 25 points.

    Rovanpera believes the conditions and course of the Safari Rally make it one of the most exciting stages of the WRC.

    “In a way, it’s not one of the favorite’s to drive but the experience is really good, the weekend is always exciting,” he said. “The conditions and how you approach it makes it different from the other Rallies.”

    Meanwhile, Katsuta Takamoto believes he has made crucial improvements and is eager to put in a strong performance in Kenya.

    “This year I have improvements on my driving style, I was second in Sweden so I hope to do even better here in Kenya,” Takamoto said. In Sweden, Takamoto placed second after amassing 25 points behind Evans (35 points).

    Competing in his fifth Safari Rally, Takamoto echoed Rovanpera’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s collective ambition.: “Nice to be back here, it’s my fifth time racing at the Safari Rally. We hope to bring back a good performance for Toyota.”

    Elsewhere, five-time Safari Rally champion Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo expects a grueling World Rally Championship event after a punishing 5km shakedown at Sleeping Warrior on Wednesday morning.

    The shakedown, a crucial pre-rally test on a designated track, allows teams to finetune their setups before the high-stakes competition set to be flagged off today by President William Ruto at City Hall Way.

    However, for Tundo and his long-time navigator Tim Jessop, it was a rough ride in their Ford Fiesta RC2, with mechanical issues surfacing early.

    “Shakedown was rough, so we took it easy. The car has some issues, but we’ll sort them out tonight,” Tundo said.

    Jessop highlighted troubles with the rev limiter, a setback compounded by the brutal nature of the Sleeping Warrior terrain.

    “The track was rough, rocky and dusty…not ideal, but necessary. We only did one run and came back. The rev-limiter isn’t boosting past a certain point, but the team will check it overnight,” he explained.

    With the legendary rally’s notorious opening stages looming, Tundo emphasized the importance of a clean run on Friday before mounting a serious charge over the weekend.

    “The goal is to survive Friday unscathed because the course is extremely rough. Then we’ll reassess and push on Saturday and Sunday,” he noted

  • Tusker prodigy Opondo eyes Stars starting berth as skipper Olunga hopes Harambee can rewrite history

    Tusker prodigy Opondo eyes Stars starting berth as skipper Olunga hopes Harambee can rewrite history

    Fast-rising goalkeeper Brian Opondo is on the brink of realizing his dream of representing Kenya in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The 23-year-old Tusker FC shot-stopper is eager to cement his place in Harambee Stars’ starting lineup for the upcoming clashes against Gabon and Gambia.

    Opondo faces stiff competition from the experienced Ian Otieno, the 32-year-old custodian who plies his trade for South Africa’s Richards Bay.

    However, his impressive form in the FKF Premier League has bolstered his case for a starting role. The 23-year-old is a testament to the power of resilience in the dynamic world of football, where dreams are often forged through relentless effort and unwavering determination

    His call-up to the Harambee Stars marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career, a moment that encapsulates the trials and triumphs that await.

    As he prepares to don the national colors once more, this time on the senior stage, Opondo’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring footballers.

    Reflecting on his selection, Opondo expressed his elation, stating: “It feels great to get this call-up. This is a massive challenge and I believe it is the product of what I have been doing. Hard work pays.”

    With six clean sheets in eight league matches, the young sensation has showcased resilience and shot-stopping prowess, making a compelling case for national selection.

    His ascent to the national team has not come easy. Since joining Tusker from Bidco United in 2022, Opondo endured a challenging period marked by limited playing time and injury setbacks.

    He remained on the sidelines for nearly a season, battling to prove his worth. However, his unwavering commitment and discipline during recovery have propelled him back into the spotlight.

    Under the guidance of coach Benni McCarthy, Opondo has earned his place in Kenya’s squad for the qualifiers.

    With the opportunity to don the national colors at the senior level, Opondo is determined to seize the moment and establish himself as Kenya’s first-choice goalkeeper. As the qualifiers approach, all eyes will be on the young custodian, whose hunger and resilience could shape Harambee Stars’ campaign to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga on the other hand is boastful Kenya can rewrite history when they face Gambia and Gabon in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    The Al Duhail marksman made the remarks at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as the team departed for Cote d’Ivoire to face Gambia.

    Kenya resume their lofty aspirations for a maiden World Cup appearance against the Scorpions at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan due to the lack of a CAF-approved venue in the Gambia.

    “The atmosphere is fantastic. Everyone is eager for their first assignment of the year,” he said. “The group is still open, but with tough games coming. First, we face the Gambia away. It will be a good encounter to showcase our talent because we know they are a team that is upcoming in Africa and they also have a good squad.”

    It will be Benni McCarthy’s first game as Stars’ head coach after taking over earlier this month and Olunga hopes his teammates will adjust to the tactician’s new way of thinking, adding that McCarthy’s appointment had introduced a fresh perspective.

    “We must adapt to what the new coach expects us to do. We have to adapt to the style of play the new coach wants us to…hopefully we can go and post positive results,” he observed.

    “We want to go out there and do our absolute best. It is a fresh start, with a new federation and a new coach. The dynamics are quite different. It will be exciting. We are looking forward to seeing what the new Kenyan team can do.”

  • Kabras extend dominance over KCB as Nondies book Enterprise Cup final

    Kabras extend dominance over KCB as Nondies book Enterprise Cup final

    Kabras RFC dominance in Enterprise Cup continued as they registered their fourth consecutive win over KCB Rugby in the competition with a 25-21 victory at Kakamega Showgrounds.

    The Sugarmen, who last lost in the Enterprise Cup on April 28, 2018, to Impala in the semifinals, have now booked their fifth consecutive final in the tournament. This was the first semifinal meeting between the two sides, with Kabras having won the last three Enterprise Cup finals against KCB Rugby.

    KCB took an early lead when Austin Sikutwa slotted in a penalty for a 3-0 advantage after Kabras conceded.

    However, Kabras had the perfect response as Griffin Chao fielded a clearance from KCB and hit them on the counter to score. Ntabeni Dukisa converted for a 7-3 lead.

    KCB stayed composed and patiently built up play, leading to a try by Andy Cole Omolo, which handed them an 8-7 lead after Sikutwa missed the conversion.

    The Bankers continued piling pressure on Kabras, and a Levy Amunga drop goal pushed them to an 11-7 advantage.

    Kabras hit back when Chao latched onto a kick by Dukisa and raced to score in the corner, reclaiming the lead at 12-11 after Dukisa missed the conversion attempt.

    Eric Cantona extended the lead to 15-11 with a well-taken drop goal. Dukisa’s aerial kicks proved fruitful as Chao fielded one and offloaded to Walter Okoth for a corner try. This time, Dukisa converted, giving Kabras a 22-11 lead at halftime.

    In the second half, the score remained unchanged until Sikutwa slotted in a penalty to close the gap to 22-14. Dukisa responded with three more points, making it 25-14. Kabras were then reduced to 14 men when Walter Okoth was sin-binned for an intentional tap.

    Despite missing several opportunities to extend their lead, including kicks by Dukisa and Cantona, Kabras held firm.

    Omolo dived over for KCB, and a successful conversion by Sikutwa brought the score to 25-21, increasing the pressure on the Sugarmen. However, Kabras held on to secure the win and book a place in the final.

    In the other semifinal, Menengai Oilers stormed into their maiden Enterprise Cup final with a commanding 41-10 victory over Nondies RFC in a match played on Saturday, at the Nakuru Showgrounds.

    Despite Nondies showing early intent, Oilers capitalized on a numerical advantage when Daniel Okito was sent off.

    Fullback Tony Oketch, running a brilliant support line, dived over for the opening try, setting the tone for the home side.

    Samuel Ovwamu extended the lead, brushing off two defenders to score under the posts for a 12-0 advantage.

    Nelson Makokha’s 60-meter sprint after intercepting a pass made it 17-0 before Daniel Kipchirchir strolled in for Oilers’ fourth try.

    Nondies finally got on the board when Sankara Wafula finished off a well-worked move to make it 22-5 at halftime.

    The second half was all Oilers, with Alvin Khavolifinishing off a brilliant counterattack before Samuel Were muscled his way over for their sixth try.

    Musonye’s late effort stretched the lead to 41-5, with Nondies grabbing a late consolation throughTony Fidens.

    With this victory, Oilers now prepare for a massive final showdown against Kabras, slated for 19 April.

  • Kipchoge to race Sydney Marathon

    Kipchoge to race Sydney Marathon

    Two-time Olympic marathon gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge will head Down Under to compete at the TCS Sydney Marathon – a World Athletics Platinum Label road race – on Sunday 31 August.

    Kipchoge is relishing the prospect of racing the TCS Sydney Marathon, which will also mark the event’s debut as part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors series.

    “I am so excited,” said the former world record-holder. “This is not only my first time racing the TCS Sydney Marathon, but also my first time running in Oceania. Competing in Australia is a huge opportunity for me. Sydney looks like a stunning city with so many iconic sights. It’s going to be a new and special experience for me.

    “I’ve been to many places to share my vision of making this world a running world. As I’ve never been to Australia before, I want to help make Australia a running nation.”

    The Kenyan distance running legend, who trains at Kaptagat in Elgeyo Marakwet has an impressive record of 16 victories from 21 official marathon races. This includes 11 wins in World Marathon Majors and an unbeaten streak of 10 marathons between 2014 and 2019.

    He claimed back-to-back Olympic marathon titles in 2016 and 2021. Having broken the world marathon record twice, Kipchoge currently holds the second-fastest marathon time in history with a personal best of 2:01:09. He also owns five of the 13 fastest marathon times ever recorded.

    Prior to racing in Sydney, Kipchoge will compete at the TCS London Marathon on Sunday 27 April.

    On the other hand, 10 athletes will fly the flag for Kenya at the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25.

    Noah Kibet, who earned 800m silver back in 2022, is named on the team. Despite being just 20 years of age, this will be his third appearance at a World Indoor Championships.

    Vivian Chebet, who placed fourth in the 800m at last year’s edition in Glasgow, also features on the team, as does Susan Lokayo Ejore, the Kenyan record-holder for the indoor mile.

    Kenyan team for Nanjing:

    Women
    800m: Vivian Chebet Kiprotich, Lilian Odira
    1500m: Susan Lokayo Ejore, Dorcus Ewoi
    3000m: Purity Kajuju Gitonga

    Men
    800m: Noah Kibet, Alex Ngeno Kipngetich, Collins Kipruto
    1500m: Festus Lagat
    3000m: Cornelius Kemboi

  • McLarens vs Verstappen and rain on race day – What To Watch For in the Australian Grand Prix

    McLarens vs Verstappen and rain on race day – What To Watch For in the Australian Grand Prix

    From McLaren drivers fighting to surprise threats for big points, and from an unsettled weather forecast to new faces in front-running teams starting at the back, here are five things to keep an eye on when the season kicks off in Melbourne…

    1. No team orders to start the season

    Team orders – or ‘Papaya Rules’ at McLaren – were a major talking point in the second half of last year such was the focus on whether there was a chance for Lando Norris to catch Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship. After the end of the European season, Oscar Piastri started supporting Norris’ bid, but it didn’t stop him winning himself in Azerbaijan.

    Starting 2025, both drivers say it is a clean slate and they are free to fight for victory, although they acknowledge they have to leave each other extra space and remember they are racing for the team.

    Both drivers highlight last year’s team work as being central to their constructors’ championship success – but Verstappen did still win a fourth drivers’ title and he’s lurking in third place in Melbourne.

    The Dutchman will be looking to take advantage of any incidents or battles between the McLaren pair if he can, but he also has George Russell alongside him on the second row. And Verstappen and Russell didn’t exactly end last year on the best of terms…

    2. Big points on offer for Tsunoda and Albon

    One of the standout teams in pre-season testing was Williams, who looked to have made a step forward with their 2025 car and have two drivers capable of exacting the maximum performance out of it.

    That was seen at different stages of the qualifying session, but in the end it was Alex Albon who came out on top in the team mate battle, securing sixth on the grid, ahead of Carlos Sainz in 10th.

    Although Albon out-qualified both of the Ferraris, he was pipped to a top five qualifying spot by a car that hadn’t been on most people’s radar after testing: Yuki Tsunoda in the Racing Bulls.

    Tsunoda was quick in FP2 to set the fourth fastest time, but with the top four teams all trading quick laps throughout the weekend it was still a surprise when he managed to put together an excellent final lap in Q3 to start on the third row.

    Both drivers will be eyeing big points from their impressive grid positions, but the big question now is whether they have the race pace to match their starting spots.

    Williams looked more competitive than the Racing Bulls on Friday, but with teams still learning so much about their cars at this early stage – and with track position important at Albert Park – there’s every chance they can fight for a good haul on Sunday.

    3. Hamilton’s Ferrari race debut

    There has been a huge amount of interest in Lewis Hamilton’s fresh start at Ferrari over the past few months, and the seven-time world champion has regularly referenced his excitement at all of the different firsts he is experiencing.

    After his first time at the team’s factory, his first simulator session, his first drive in an old Ferrari, his first drive in the latest one, and his first pre-season test in red, Hamilton now will embark on his Grand Prix start as a Ferrari driver.

    Hamilton will start from eighth on the grid after a disappointing qualifying session for the Scuderia, but he will be alongside team mate Charles Leclerc – and Ferrari had strong long run pace in second practice.

    So there should be potential for both to move forward, but however the race pans out it’s going to be another milestone for Hamilton as he looks to settle in as quickly as possible at his new team.

    4. Antonelli and Lawson from the back

    There is huge excitement around the rookie class of 2025, and two of them are getting to drive in competitive machinery, with Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes and Liam Lawson at Red Bull. But the problem for both drivers is how competitive the other eight teams are, as they became casualties of an extremely competitive Q1 on Saturday.

    Antonelli sustained bib damage and was knocked out in Q1 by just 0.007s, despite being only 0.6s off the fastest overall time. Lawson’s day on Saturday was even more challenging, as a power unit problem stopped him running in FP3, and on a track where he is the only driver to never race – the other rookies having competing in Formula 2 – he struggled in qualifying to end up 18th.

    Both will have to fight through the field on Sunday – but both have cars that are clearly quick after their team mates ended up sharing the second row. Seeing how they handle the situation will be an interesting aspect of the race to follow.

    Prospects are a little less exciting when it comes to Ollie Bearman’s hopes of moving forward, as the new Haas driver has endured a nightmare weekend so far. He crashed in FP1, missed FP2 as a result, spun into the gravel at the start of FP3, and then had a gearbox issue that prevented him from setting a time in qualifying. Just completing the race distance to gain experience would constitute a success

    5. The weather

    The weather forecast has been an intriguing subplot to this race weekend, after a week in Melbourne that started with heat warnings but then cooled down somewhat on Thursday and Friday.

    That gave way to an extremely hot Saturday – with the temperature continuing to climb into the evening after qualifying finished – but as the high temperatures come down again it could still result in heavy rain come Sunday.

    The temperature is forecast to drop steadily from midnight onwards, meaning the teams might be dealing with different track conditions compared to Friday and Saturday regardless. And although the risk of rain appears to be decreasing, if any does hit the track it’s likely to be fairly significant as the weather breaks.

    Although there were some light showers in pre-season testing, only Haas ran an intermediate tyre for a short spell, so in reality no team has any significant data to fall back on if the race is wet, and the already uncertain competitive picture could be further mixed up.

    Source: Formula 1

  • Naivasha records surge in hotel bookings ahead of WRC Safari Rally

    Naivasha records surge in hotel bookings ahead of WRC Safari Rally

    Naivasha is coming alive as the Service Park for the WRC Safari Rally is being set up, with teams starting to dock their containers in preparation for the event but also the hoteliers are recording booming business ahead of the event set for March 19-23.

    The championship continues to significantly boost hotel occupancies in Naivasha and its surrounding areas with over 100,000 visitors expected next week for the event.

    Over the past four years, Naivasha, and by extension, the Moi South Lake Road have witnessed a surge in hospitality infrastructure with hotels springing up, year in year out.

    According to Hylise Hotel General Manager John Mburu, his team is prepared for the gigantic assignment in terms of manpower, equipment, stocks and other resources.

    “We are as prepared as can be for the Safari Rally. This is now the fifth year doing this, we have learnt from the past years, and from everything that we do, we want to get better at it,” said Mburu.

    Mburu continued: “We are very hospitable people, we have 57 rooms with 66 beds, and as we speak, from this Sunday, we are fully booked until after the rally, Monday the 24th of March.”

    Asked how his team has coped with the rising demand of bookings, Mburu added: “With the Safari, the challenge is always the timing, people wake up very early and come back very late so, you have to operate 24 hours, including the FNB section, so we have had to boost our manpower.”

    Enashipai Resort and Spa, a multi award-winning leisure and conference destination offering authentic African hospitality, will be a key feature of this year’s WRC Safari Rally. The hotel will be one of the places where the world rally officials and race crews will be hosted.

    Shem Onyara, Chief Engineer at Enashipai confirmed that all the 135 rooms in their facility are fully booked for the Safari.

    Onyara said: “The whole hotel has been taken by the rally drivers and codrivers, so for that weekend, we have already started receiving the crew members who had pre-booked the hotel.”

    Onyara reckons that Safari’s return to the WRC calendar in 2021 was a very big blessing to the hotel industry in Naivasha.

    “Before the WRC status of Safari, we had one of the most pathetic roads from Naivasha town to Moi South Lake, all the way to KenGen, but then things changed, and the road was recarpeted. As a result, so many businesses have sprung up, so many hotels that have come up along this road and when the Safari is gone the businesses are still there, ”

    In 2022, the WRC Safari attracted 80 million TV viewers in 150 countries, making it one of the largest followed motorsport events globally.

    During the four-day event in Kenya, fans from all walks of life will make their way to Naivasha, which is usually abuzz with activity.

     Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei, on her part, remarked: “Our role as a tourism agency is to encourage the fans to enjoy the sport. For instance, last year, the Safari Rally attracted over 100,000 participants and spectators in Naivasha and greatly impacted the economy, from small and medium enterprises to the signature hotel infrastructure. The event also gave us an opportunity to showcase our beautiful countryside to millions of viewers globally,”

    Moi South Lake Road’s luxury hotels like the Enashipai, Sawela Lodge, Lake Naivasha Resort and Sopa Lodge have time and time again witnessed high demand in hotel occupancy.

    With the ever rising numbers, including over 7,000 Ugandan spectators, Safari will prosper small and medium businesses, uplifting livelihoods.

    For those in the transport industry, including boda boda riders, all roads lead to the rally, where enthusiastic fans wait to be ferried from one spectator stage to the next.

    Farmers, local butcheries, eateries, food vendors and bar owners will experience hikes in business. Entertainment companies, the petroleum industry, dancers, artists, and DJs set up in the area to entertain fans during the rally.

  • Omanyala urges quick reopening of stadia as track season unfolds

    Omanyala urges quick reopening of stadia as track season unfolds

    Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has called for the urgent re-opening of Nyayo National Stadium to athletes as the track and field season gathers pace.

    Kenya’s two major stadiums—Nyayo and Kasarani—remain closed for renovations ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), leaving athletes scrambling for proper training venues.

    With the World Indoor Championships set to begin in Nanjing, China, from 21-23 March, followed by the World Relays in Guangzhou in 10-11 May, many athletes have been forced to train on murram tracks—far from ideal for elite-level preparation.

    The 2022 Commonwealth 100m champion, expressed his frustration over the prolonged stadium closures, warning that the lack of tartan tracks is hurting the sprinters.

    “Kasarani was shut down last year and now Nyayo is also closed. That leaves us with no proper training facilities,” Omanyala stated.

    “It’s frustrating because these renovations have dragged on for too long. It’s already March and athletes are still training on murram yet they’ll soon be competing against rivals who have been sharpening their speed on proper tartan tracks.”

    Omanyala urged the government to give athletics the attention it deserves, noting that track and field has consistently brought global glory to Kenya.

    “The government is heavily prioritizing football. I’m not saying football shouldn’t get support, but let’s not forget athletics, which has put Kenya on the world map for decades,” he said.

    “If the government can work closely with Athletics Kenya, we can elevate the sport even further.”

    Currently, Omanyala is gearing up for the 2025 season at Kenyatta University’s track, which he considers a lifeline.

    “This facility came in at the right time. I was talking to my coach and we agreed that without it, we wouldn’t know where to train. Many sprinters have been forced onto murram tracks, which isn’t ideal for high-performance training.”

    Beyond Nyayo and Kasarani, Omanyala called for the speedy completion of the Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret, a hub for Kenya’s athletics heritage.

    “The government should at least renovate the training track at Kasarani to help us in the meantime. Kip Keino Stadium, being at the heart of athletics in this country, should have been ready by now to offer alternatives.”

    Omanyala, an Olympics semi-finalist, is set to compete in his first international race of the season at the ASA Grand Prix 1 in South Africa on Wednesday evening after opting to skip the indoor season to focus on outdoor events.

    He will be up against fellow Kenyan Mark Otieno. Competition will also come from South African Sprinters Erasmus Emile, Adams Luxolo, and Letebele Karabo, Zimbabwe’s Makusha Ngoni and Botswana’s Boitshwarelo Mothusi.

    National sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki echoed Omanyala’s concerns, emphasizing that murram tracks cannot provide the traction necessary for explosive sprints.

    “For sprinters, traction is everything. Without proper grip between the shoe and the track, you can’t generate the power needed for acceleration,” Mwaniki explained.

    Traction is the grip between the runner’s shoe and track, crucial for propulsion and acceleration. The tactician highlighted the severity of closure of the Nyayo stadium noting that it’s tartan track has markers crucial for events such as the relays.

    “For the World Relay Championships, there are markers given by World Athletics, where athletes exchange the batons which only the Nyayo Stadium has. So without it, we can’t have proper training for the Relays,” Mwaniki emphasized. “The Ministry must act fast and work with the government to ensure these facilities are reopened.”

    He further urged authorities to construct more stadiums, particularly in regions with strong sprinting potential, such as the Coast: “The Coastal region is perfect for sprinters. Completing Mbaraki Stadium would ease overreliance on the few existing facilities.”

  • McCarthy names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers

    McCarthy names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers

    Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has announced a provisional lineup in preparation for the vital 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where the national team is set to compete against Gabon and Gambia. The squad features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging young players, underscoring the team’s ambition for these essential matches.

    Among the fresh faces included in the squad are promising young talents Kelly Madada and Andreas Odhiambo, while midfielder William Lenkupae, currently playing in Australia, receives his inaugural call-up.

    Reflecting on his selections, Coach McCarthy remarked, “Wednesday will mark my first training camp with locally-based players, allowing me to evaluate their abilities ahead of the upcoming CHAN and to pinpoint potential contributors for the World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon.”

    Harambee Stars provisional squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers vs Gabon and Gambia

    The first challenge will be against Gambia on Thursday, 20 March, at Stade Allasane Ouattara in Ivory Coast. The away match represents a critical opportunity for the team to gather crucial points as part of their qualification efforts.

    After facing Gambia, the squad will return to home soil and take on Gabon, with their match scheduled for Sunday, 23 March, at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, kicking off at 4pm.

    Players are set to report for training on Wednesday, 12 March to commence their preparations for these high-stakes encounters.

    Provisional Squad Breakdown:

    Goalkeepers:

    • Brian Opondo (Tusker FC)
    • Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC)
    • Ian Otieno (Richards Bay)
    • Brian Bwire (Polokwane City)

    Defenders:

    • Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia)
    • Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia)
    • Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)
    • Siraj Mohamed (Bandari FC)
    • Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC)
    • Levis Esambe (AFC Leopards SC)
    • Eric Ouma (Rakow Czestochowa)
    • Johnstone Omurwa (Kapaz FC)
    • Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims)
    • Collins Sichenje (FK Vojvodina)
    • Daniel Anyembe (Viborg FF)
    • Brian Mandela (Stellenbosch)
    • Amos Nondi (Ararat)

    Midfielders:

    • Musa Katibi (Kenya Police FC)
    • Chris Erambo (Tusker FC)
    • Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)
    • Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia)
    • Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards SC)
    • Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia)
    • Mathias Isogoli (Mara Sugar FC)
    • Andreas Odhiambo (Kariobangi Sharks)
    • Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia)
    • Richard Odada (Dundee United)
    • Duke Abuya (Yanga)
    • Timothy Ouma (Slavia Prague)
    • Apollo Otieno (Dodoma Jiji)
    • Amos Nondi (FC Ararat)
    • Eric Johanna (UTA Arad)
    • Anthony Akumu (Kheybar Khorramabad)
    • Ismail Gonzalez (Merida AD)
    • William Lenkupae (Central Coast Mariners)

    Forwards:

    • Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)
    • James Kinyanjui (KCB FC)
    • Alvin Mang’eni (Kenya Police FC)
    • Mohamed Bajaber (Kenya Police FC)
    • Eric Balecho (Tusker FC)
    • Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC)
    • Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz)
    • Edward Omondi (Sofapaka FC)
    • Elvis Rupia (Singida Blackstars)
    • John Avire (Porto Suez)
    • Jonah Ayunga (St Mirren)
    • Michael Olunga (Al-Duhail)
    • Mathew Tegisi (Pamba Jiji)
    • Masud Juma (Esteghlal FC)
  • KCB out for revenge as Enterprise Cup semi-finals loom against rivals Kabras

    KCB out for revenge as Enterprise Cup semi-finals loom against rivals Kabras

    KCB head coach Oliver Mang’eni has set his sights on sweet revenge against Kabras in the upcoming Enterprise Cup semifinal on Saturday after his side fell short in their Kenya Cup showdown.

    The bankers suffered a 25-17 defeat to their bitter rivals on Saturday at the Kakamega ASK Showground. This win extends their remarkable unbeaten streak to 39 matches in Kenya Cup and have now topped the league standings for six consecutive years.

    Kabras finished top of the log with 52 points, with KCB hot on their heels at 50, while Menengai Oilers secured third place with 47 points. Despite the setback, Mang’eni remains confident his charges will bounce back stronger.

    “It is time for us to go back to the drawing board and work on the areas we fell short. I am confident we will bounce back stronger and better,” Mang’eni said.

    Reflecting on the Kenya Cup battle, the tactician admitted his side started well but let the game slip in the second half.

    “The boys started the game well. In the first half, we put a lot of pressure on Kabras. However, in the second half, we made so many mistakes in our territory that cost us a win,” he said.

    The game started at a blistering pace, with Kenyan international Kelvin Wekesa pouncing on a KCB handling error inside their 22 to score a brilliant try within the opening 10 minutes.

    Kabras’ early 7-0 lead was short-lived as Austin Sikutwa responded with an emphatic try for KCB, leveling the scores after converting his effort.

    Ntabeni Dukisa slotted two penalties after Tyson Maina was penalized, nudging Kabras ahead once more. But the bankers hit back through Griffin Musila and Sikutwa to hand KCB a narrow 14-13 lead.

    Dukisa, showing his sharp kicking form, struck another penalty before Sikutwa returned the favor with a three-pointer of his own, giving KCB a 17-16 edge.

    However, just before the break, Dukisa’s boot once again proved decisive, his penalty ensuring Kabras went into halftime with a 19-17 advantage. In the second half Dukisa converted three penalties for the victory.

    KCB dominated possession in the second half but failed to capitalize on their attacking opportunities.

    On the other hand, 1983 Kenya Cup champions Mwamba, dug deep to stun Blak Blad 29-15 but the win was not enough as they got relegated together with newcomers South Coast Pirates. Menengai Oilers thrashed Coast Pirates 35-0 to send the newbies back to the second division.

    It is the first time Mwamba will compete in the second-tier of the Kenya Rugby Union Championship since its formation in 1977 having produced rugby greats such as World Rugby Sevens Series try top-scorer Collins Injera.

  • Lionesses fancy HSBC SVNS promotion after back-to-back Challenger Series victories in Cape Town

    Lionesses fancy HSBC SVNS promotion after back-to-back Challenger Series victories in Cape Town

    Kenya Lionesses have taken a significant step towards securing a spot in the HSBC SVNS after a triumphant start in the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 in Cape Town.

    The Kenyan women’s sevens team put on a stellar performance, clinching victory in consecutive rounds of the series after battling past Argentina 17-12 in the first round last weekend and stunning hosts South Africa 17-0 in the second round on Saturday.

    The Lionesses, who reached the final with a come-from-behind 12-5 victory over Colombia in the semis, floored the Women Boks with tries from Naomi Amuguni, Sharon Auma, and Freshia Oduor, with Sinaida Nyachio making one successful conversion.

    Dennis Mwanja’s charges is now the only team to beat South Africa twice in the Challenger Series after defeating the southerners 19-15 in the semi-final of the first challenger stage held on 2 March in Cape Town.

    Kenya now leads the women’s standings on 40 points six ahead of South Africa. Argentina are third tied on 30 points with Colombia. Lionesses now heads to the final leg of the Challenger Series slated for 11-12 April in Krakow, Poland.

    The Lionesses drew first blood in the first half as Naomi Amuguni landed the first try of the match as she rounded her defender to give Lionesses an early 5-0 lead. The conversion attempt by Sinaida Mokaya was unsuccessful, Kenya holding on to the 5-0 to half time.

    The Kenya Lionesses were confident and their focus was unfazed as they kept on attacking the Springbok Women’s defensive line in the second half. Captain Grace Okulu was tasked with the second half restart, kicking the ball deep into South Africa’s half. The Lionesses’ defensive line quickly and stealthily following the ball and putting South Africa under pressure which resulted in SA’s winger Ayanda Malenga knocking on the ball inside their 22.

    Both teams traded a few ball handling errors, however, Kenya emerged more clinical when they had the ball in hand. Off a scrum in South Africa’s 22M line, Sinaida Mokaya sent the ball to the experienced Sheila Chajira who then passed it to the mercurial winger Sharon Auma. Sharon’s pace was no match for the Springbok Ladies as she made her way to the try line to land a converted center post try extending the Lionesses lead to 12-0 with three minutes left on the clock.

    Head Coach Denis Mwanja made changes after this play, Sharon was replaced by her equally fast teammate, Freshia Oduor who landed the Kenya Lionesses winning try. She landed a corner post try but the conversion was unsuccessful bringing the full time score to 17-00 in favor of Kenya Lionesses.

    On their way to the final, Kenya Lionesses beat Colombia 12-5 in the cup semifinal while in the Pool matches, they had beaten Belgium 17-05 and Uganda 10-05 in the golden point.

    “Playing against Uganda and Colombia was tough for us and in the semifinal, our girls looked a bit rattled. In the Colombia game we wanted to keep possession of the ball and using our chances, being able to utilize our opportunities. In the final, I told the players to go and leave it all on the pitch,” said Head Coach Denis Mwanja.

    “We lost to South Africa in Tunisia 2023 and again in Ghana 2024 so this victory is poetic justice for us. The girls believed in themselves and they beat SA in this final. Let us enjoy this moment and then after a week’s rest, we are back to training ahead of the third leg of the Challenger Series in Poland.” he concluded.

    The top-four sides after the Krakow round will meet bottom-four teams in the 2024-25 World Rugby Women’s Series for in the HSBC SVNS play-offs set for 3-4 May in Los Angels for four slots in the 2025-26 HSBC SVNS.

    Mwanja is impressed by the show heaping praise on his team’s stellar performance and emphasized the importance of finishing strong in the final leg.

    “Being at 40 points gives us an assailable lead against the other teams. We are not just looking at getting to the semis but gathering all the points and getting a weaker opposition for the promotional relegation playoffs in LA,” he said.

    Vice-captain Grace Achieng echoed the coach’s sentiments, crediting the team’s success to sheer determination and relentless training.

    “We’ve come this far due to our determination and hard work that we have been putting in training. We have been fighting to qualify, and this is us preparing for the HSBC. We fell short last year, but this year the girls decided to play, and we are here to win everything.”

    Introduced in 2020, the Challenger Series has provided a crucial platform for emerging teams to gain exposure and compete for a place at the highest level of rugby sevens. With their impressive start, Kenya Lionesses have set their sights on making history by earning their place among the world’s elite.

  • Breaking one hour barrier to a new era: The evolution of Half Marathon

    Breaking one hour barrier to a new era: The evolution of Half Marathon

    It was not that many years ago that breaking an hour for the half marathon was an amazing feat. But a fortnight ago, we saw that record dip under 57 minutes. That’s running 4:19 mile pace for 13.1 miles.

    The half marathon, a 21.0975-kilometer (13.1-mile) race, has long been a benchmark of endurance and speed. For decades, breaking one hour in the event was considered an extraordinary achievement. But as training, technology, and competition have advanced, so have the records.

    On 16 February, 2025, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo took the event into a new era, becoming the first person to break 57 minutes with a stunning world record of 56:42 at the eDreams Mitja Marató, Barcelona, a World Athletics Gold Label road race.

    With that impressive performance, the 24-year-old two-time world cross country champion improved on Yomif Kejelcha’s previous world record of 57:30 by 48 seconds – the greatest single improvement on the men’s world half marathon record.

     

    The history of the half marathon

    The half marathon has been a competitive event since at least the early 20th century, though it did not gain widespread popularity until later. It emerged as a race distance that was more accessible than the full marathon but still required a balance of endurance and speed. Unlike the marathon, which has been an Olympic event since 1896, the half marathon has never been included in the Games, but it has had its own World Championships since 1992.

    With the rise of professional distance running and major city half marathons, the event has grown into one of the most participated-in races worldwide. Many view it as a stepping stone to the full marathon, while others appreciate it as a challenging yet more manageable race.

     

    Breaking one hour The milestones

    The quest to run a half marathon in under one hour became a defining goal for elite male distance runners. While marathon times had been steadily improving throughout the 20th century, the half marathon saw a more gradual progression.

    1960: Australian runner Dave Power ran an unofficial best of 1:01:44.

    1974: Ron Hill of Great Britain set a recognized world best of 1:02:22.

    1978: Italy’s Marcello Fiasconaro improved the mark to 1:01:49.

    1985: Steve Jones of Great Britain ran 1:01:14, bringing the record closer to the one-hour barrier.

    1993: Moses Tanui of Kenya became the first man to break one hour, running 59:47.

    Once Tanui shattered the one-hour barrier, improvements became more frequent, with Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes dominating the event.

    1997: Paul Tergat (Kenya) ran 59:17.

    2005: Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya) ran 59:16, then 58:33 in 2007.

    2010: Zersenay Tadese (Eritrea) set a long-standing record of 58:23.

    2020: Kibiwott Kandie (Kenya) became the first to break 58 minutes, running 57:32.

    2021: Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) set a new record at 57:31.

    2024: Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) improved it to 57:30.

    2025: Jacob Kiplimo rewrote history with 56:42.

     

    The women’s half marathon world record

    On the women’s side, the world record has seen significant improvements as well. Ethiopia’s Letesenbet Gidey currently holds the record. Gidey smashed the world record at the Valencia Half Marathon Trinidad Alfonso EDP, clocking 1:02:52 on her debut at the distance at the World Athletics Elite Label road race on 24 October, 2021.

    Competing in the same Spanish city where she broke the world 5,000m record in 2020, Gidey took 70 seconds off the previous world record of 1:04:02 set by former world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich six months earlier.

    In doing so, 23-year-old Gidey became the first woman to officially break the 64 and 63-minute barriers. She’s also the first debutante to set a world record for the distance.

     

    Previous records include:

    1982: Joan Benoit Samuelson (USA) ran 1:08:34.

    2001: Elana Meyer (South Africa) became the first woman to break 67 minutes, running 1:06:44.

    2007: Lornah Kiplagat (Netherlands) set a world record of 1:06:25.

    2017: Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) became the first woman under 65 minutes, running 1:04:52.

    2021: Letesenbet Gidey shattered expectations with 1:02:52.

     

    A new era for the half marathon

    With Kiplimo’s record-breaking 56:41, the half marathon has entered uncharted territory. His ability to maintain a 4:19 per mile pace for 13.1 miles is a testament to the evolution of the sport. Advances in training methods, course selection, pacing strategies, and shoe technology have all contributed to these record-breaking performances.

    The question now is what comes next. Will someone push the limits even further and run under 56 minutes? Will Kiplimo’s record stand for years, or will it spark another round of breakthroughs?

    For now, all eyes turn to Kiplimo’s next challenge: his marathon debut at the London Marathon on 27 April. If his half marathon success is any indication, the world may soon see him make history over 26.2 miles as well.

    One thing is certain—the evolution of the half marathon is far from over, and the best may still be yet to come.