The inaugural National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Beach Games ended Sunday with assurances that Kenya has enough sporting talents to help expand her medal scope in international sporting competitions.
Dr Paul Tergat, the NOC-K President, said the beach games held in Malindi’s Buntwani Beach Front Saturday and Sunday exposed talents that can enable Kenya to diversify her medal harvests by having more sporting disciplines during international competitions.
“We have witnessed great potentials in these games, which we are using to prepare a team for the African Beach Games in Tunisia in June this year as well as widen our medal scope in international competitions,” he told journalists.
Dr Tergat thanked the County Government of Kilifi for hosting the games and promised that the event will be made an annual event with a view to identifying and nurturing new talents to be used in international games such as the Olympics.
Kilifi County Executing Committee Member in charge of Sports, Dr Ruth Dama Masha, thanked NOC-K for choosing to hold the games in the county, and added that the county administration had commenced the process of securing land for an international sports facility in the county.
“It is a five-year plan which we are going to do in phases; at the moment we are going to have the land and develop one sports shop which will be a talent and sports facility,” she said.
Kenya’s sprint sensational Ferdinand Omanyala, who is ranked as the world’s eighth fastest man, called on the youths to be resilient and disciplined if they are to cut a niche for themselves in sports.
“It took me seven years to be where I am and I believe if the youths can be disciplined and patient, they will also make their country and themselves proud,” he said.
He promised to give Kenya a gold medal in the Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France, in July and August 2024.
Kilifi County Executing Committee Member in charge of Sports, Dr Ruth Dama Masha, thanked NOC-K for choosing to hold the games in the county, and added that the county administration had commenced the process of securing land for an international sports facility in the county.
“It is a five-year plan which we are going to do in phases; at the moment we are going to have the land and develop one sports shop which will be a talent and sports facility,” she said.
During the weekend’s competitions, Prisons Kenya beat Mombasa Prisons two sets to nought to lift the Men’s Beach Volleyball trophy, with Mombasa Queens scooping gold after hammering Pwani University two sets to nothing.
The games attracted more than 900 participants in 14 sports disciplines in which the winners received medals and trophies, with NOC-K saying it was using the games to select a team that will represent Kenya at the African Beach Games championships in Tunis in June this year.
In beach football, MTG United hammered Mombasa Olympic two goals to nothing to be declared champions in the ladies’ category while Watamu beat Likoni four goals to zero in the men’s category.
Malindi Queens secured third place after edging out Ocean D ladies 4-2 on post-match penalties after drawing 3-3.
The Sprint rowing category, which is new in Kenya, saw Diana Natecho emerge winner followed by Lorna Ogola while Purity Wairimu came in third. In the mens’ category Harrison Malenga emerged the winner ahead of Joel Okweyo.
In handball men’s category, Pwani wolves emerged winners with Mombasa Saints and Pwani University coming second and third respectively while in the female category Coast Queens took first position followed by Glorious Queens as Pwani University settled for bronze.
In wrestling for men, John Omondi, Evans Wafula and Julius Waruru emerged winners in that order in the over 80 kilogramme category while Alvisa Winrose, Eunice Waithera and Emily Wanjala emerged tops in that order.
In the men’s over 80 kilograms category, Mathayo Mahabila, Mark Omumasaba and Brian Oloo emerged tops in that order.
By Emmanuel Masha
