Andrew Lorot. PHOTO/ Courtesy.
NAIROBI, January 6 – Africa cross country silver medallist Andrew Lorot is among top five nominees shortlisted for the newly introduced most outstanding performer Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) in the schools category.
Lorot who bagged silver at the East African Secondary School Games in the boys 10,000m and 5,000m will battle for the boy’s top prize with upcoming sprinter, East Africa 100m and 200m champion and record holder Moffat Ngari.
Also in line for the accolade are tennis national champion and regional silver medallist Shivam Shah, swimmer Ian Ngatia and javelin East Africa champion and record holder David Parisitau.
The corresponding girl’s category is also competitive with East African Games 100m and 200m champion, Maxmilla Imali headlining the list that has another runner Iveen Chepkemoi.
The other candidates in this category are girls’ best swimmer at the East Africa Games Virginia Okumu, national and East Africa’s champion in both singles and doubles of tennis and regional badminton MVP Valery Kones.
In the secondary school games team of the year accolade, Boys’ hockey national champions and East Africa bronze medalists Narok Boys will be up against East Africa and national rugby 15s champions Laiser Hill Academy who also shined in football.
St Peters Secondary School Chirikwa who excelled in handball, Maseno School basketball and rugby sevens national champions St Peters Mumias complete the list.
The girl’s contest has National volleyball champions AIC Kosirai alongside national hockey winners Trans Nzoia Mixed, East Africa hockey champions Sinyolo Girls, national basketball title-holder Shimba Hills and girls’ national handball champions Moi Girls Kamusinga.
Listed in the Coach of the Year category are Edgar Manyara of Wiyeta Girls football team, Obambo netball team’s Rose Anyango, Kelvin Lugalia of St. Anthony’s Kitale hockey, Richard Soi of AIC Kosirai volleyball and Sinyolo Girls hockey coach Alloise Owino.
The nominees made the cut based on their exceptional performance at the national school games and also the East Africa games that were held in Rwanda last year.
The annual sports awards bonanza will be held on January 15 in Nairobi in what is expected to be a glamorous event.
This comes against the backdrop of an Olympic season later in the year and the sports personalities will be looking to get that extra motivation to aim higher.
