The second edition of the Mr. & Miss East Africa natural bodybuilding contest was officially launched in Eldoret.
According to Nebert Shiveka, the general manager Rupaz fitness centre who is the lead partner in hosting the competitions, said the contest will be open to all contestants from the African region.
Shiveka disclosed the 2023 edition winner will pocket between Sh. 3million to Sh. 5 million depending on the number of partners and sponsors who will come out to support the competitions. Last year the winner was awarded Sh. 1.5 million.
“I wish to urge more partners and sponsors to join in so as to encourage our youth to take up bodybuilding exercise as a sport and source of income. By organizing this event, we are also promoting awareness of mental health fitness considering that the number of Kenyans experiencing mental health challenges is increasing due to high levels of stress and depression,” said Shiveka
He said this year’s competition will be held on October 8, 2023 in Eldoret and appealed to all eligible bodybuilders to take advantage and register for the competitions adding it was an opportunity for lovers of bodybuilding sports to participate.
The general manager added that three new categories will be introduced in this year’s championships which include, classic, masters and a special category for differently abled contestants.
“This year’s event will be better and bigger as it is open to contestants from the African region and we expect that at least 400 contestants will take part as compared to last year when only 200 participated in the event,” said the GM.
A counselling psychologist Muthoni Mugu and the Uasin Gishu county chief officer for clinical services Dr Paul Ongeti urged Kenyans not only to use bodybuilding as a competition but also utilize it as a mental fitness tool too.
They both agreed that physical fitness should not only be perceived to be a sport but contributes a lot to a person’s mental and psychological fitness.
“Physical fitness need not be intense, you just need to be active for two to five hours a day, walking, and jockeying is enough for your good mental health and sobriety,” said Dr Ongeti.
Ms Mugu emphasized the need for employers to consider creating employee-enhanced programs such as having a gym in their institutions where employees could exercise during brief shifts, saying this would not only improve the mental health, and physical fitness of their employees but would also go a long way towards improving productivity in respective industries.
By Kiptanui Cherono
