Tujiamini news Archives

4 statistical evidence that suggest Fatuma Zarika will make mincemeat of Zambian boxer Catherine Phiri

Posted on December 1, 2017December 2, 2017 by Martin Oduor

Kenyan boxer Fatuma Zarika will defend her World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title against former world champion Catherine Phiri from Zambia.

The much-awaited fight will be held at Carnivore Grounds in Nairobi on December 2nd 2017. Zakira is expected to retain her title because statistics favor her.

Below are 5 reasons why Zarika is favorite to win Saturday December 2nd fight:

Zarika is a more experienced fighter

Fatuma Zarika started professional boxing in 2003. She has fought a total of 43 fights. The Kenyan boxer has won 29 fights, lost 12 and drew 2. Zarika has fought several international boxers from America and Europe in her boxing career.

Zambia’s Catherine Phiri began professional boxing career in 2011 and has only fought a total of 15 fights. She has faced off with less international boxers in her career compared to her opponent Zarika.

Zarika last lost a fight in 2015

Fatuma Zarika during her fight with Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano

Zarika was last defeated in October 9th 2015 when she faced off with Puerto Rican boxer Amanda Serrano at the Space at Westbury, New York City, USA.

Zarika however went on to win World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title on 1st October 2016 when she defeated American boxer Alicia Ashley.

Catherine Phiri was last defeated on 1st April 2017 by Mexican fighter Mariana Juarez. The Zambian was aiming to reclaim the WBC super bantamweight title (she won the title on January 30th 2016 when she defeated Mexican boxer Yazmin Rivas).

Zarika has NEVER lost a fight on home ground

Fatuma Zarika when she won the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantam weight title.

The closest Fatuma Zarika came to lose a fight in Kenya was on 13th December 2003 when she faced off with veteran boxer Conjestina Achieng. The fight which was held at Nyayo National Stadium ended in a draw.

Catherine Phiri has lost fights both in Zambia and abroad.

SportPesa training camp

Gaming company SportPesa flew Zarika to America in September 2017 for training at a world class boxing training facility.

Zarika trained for two months at Berry’s Boxing Gym in Las Vegas ahead of the December 2nd boxing match with Catherine Phiri.

The Kenyan boxer is well trained for the fight compared to her rival. She has the backing of SportPesa who have been providing all the support that she needs.

Fatuma Zarika preparing for a boxing match

Meanwhile another SportPesa initiate ‘Tujiamini’ is looking for talented young Kenyans to provide them with a platform to nurture their talents.

Are you a talented boxer, or football player, maybe an athlete or swimmer who hasn’t found a platform to launch your career?

If you are talented in any field of sports and your career hasn’t blossomed, then Tujiamini initiative is looking for you.

Nominate or share a story of an upcoming sports talent on Tujiamini platform for a chance for them to be discovered.

Fatuma Zarika with legendary boxer Mike Tyson

By nominating a talent or sharing a story of upcoming sports talent, they will get:

1.Exposure

2.Selected talents will get an access to training camps

3.Sportpesa will also facilitate an introduction of selected talents to relevant sports clubs

Click the link below to nominate any talented person you know:

Tujiamini talent

5 little-known high schools that have produced the greatest rugby players in Kenya

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Martin Oduor

In recent years National Secondary Schools rugby tournament has been dominated by Kakamega High School, Bungoma High School, Laiser Hill, St Peters Mumias, Upper Hill, Maseno School, Mangu school etc.

The likes of Steve Biko (Saint Mary’s School), Lavin Asego (St Mary’s Yala), Michael Wanjala (Bungoma High), Humphrey Khayange (Kakamega High School) came from Kenya’s finest rugby nurseries that have all won the National Secondary Schools rugby tournament, some even multiple times.

Surprisingly there are high schools that have never won the National Secondary Schools rugby tournament yet they have produced some of the greatest rugby players in Kenya.

Kisumu Boys

Kisumu Boys has not won the National Secondary Schools rugby tournament but they boast of producing one of the finest rugby players in Kenya – Andrew Amonde.

Amonde plays for Kenya’s national sevens team and has been its captain since 2012. Amonde led Kenya 7s team when they won the Singapore Sevens rugby tournament on April 17th 2016.

Dr. Aggrey High School

The little-known high school in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta county is yet to win the National Secondary Schools rugby tournament but it has produced a legend.

William Ambaka Ndayara is a product of Dr. Aggrey High School. Ambaka currently plays for the Kenyan national sevens team as well as for Manawatu in New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup. He was also in the squad that represented Kenya in the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup.

Nyabondo High

Horace Otieno talent was discovered during his stint at Nyabondo High School. The School has not won the National Secondary Schools rugby tournament but has produced a player who plays for Kenya’s national sevens team and Mwamba RFC.

Vihiga High School

Vihiga High School is yet to join the big boys club – the winners of National Secondary Schools rugby tournament.

Kenya’s arguably greatest rugby player Collins Injera is an alumnus of Vihiga High School. Injera is the World Rugby Sevens Series all-time leading try scorer. He needs no further introductions because he’s the face of Kenya’s national sevens team.

Kijabe High

Kijabe High is another school that is yet to win National Secondary Schools Rugby Tournament. Kijabe has however produced Oscar Ouma who played for Kenya’s national sevens team.

Oscar was in action for Kenya 7s at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland and the 2016 Olympics.

The most common things about these rugby legends is that they joined high school as novices but left when they were the most sought-after players in Kenya.

Are you a talented rugby player or football player, maybe an athlete or swimmer who hasn’t found a platform to launch your career?

If you are talented in any field of sports and your career hasn’t blossomed, then Tujiamini initiative is looking for you.

Tujiamini is an initiative that was launched a month ago courtesy of SportPesa with the aim of giving talented people a platform to nurture their talents.

Tujiamini is looking for untapped talents to give them a platform to utilize their sports careers. Nominate or share a story of an upcoming sports talent on Tujiamini platform for a chance for them to be discovered.

By nominating a talent or sharing a story of upcoming sports talent, they will get:

1.Exposure

2.Selected talents will get an access to training camps

3.Sportpesa will also facilitate an introduction of selected talents to relevant sports clubs

Click the link below to nominate any talented person you know:

Tujiamini talent

5 sports academies that have produced Kenya’s most seasoned footballers including Olunga and Wanyama

Posted on November 16, 2017 by Martin Oduor

Europe and South America are the only continents that have won world cup in the history of international football. The main reason why these two continents produce the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and keep on winning world cups is because they nurture football talents from very early age.

Kenya is on the right path even though there is still much to be done. The country’s football academies have produced some of the greatest footballers including Victor Wanyama and Michael Olunga who play in English Premier League and La Liga respectively.

Below is a list of 5 football academies that have produced Kenya’s top cream footballers.

Liberty Sports Academy

The academy is based in Nairobi has over 25 youngsters who turn up to be fed with football basics every morning on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays and over the holidays.

Trainings are held at the City Stadium over the mentioned days. Liberty Sports Academy has produced Kenya’s most potent strikers such as Michael Olunga, Nicholas Meja and Charles Bruno who have played for various KPL teams.

JMJ Academy

JMJ academy in Nairobi West has produced several footballers who play in top flight European leagues. Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama is a product of JMJ academy.

Other talents nurtured at JMJ academy include Ayub Timbe who currently plays as a forward for Beijing Renhe in the China League One, Johanna Omolo who plays for Belgian club, Royal Antwerp and Edwin Otieno Oluoch who played for Belgian Third division C side Sk Moelingen and several other clubs.

Ligi Ndogo Soccer Club

Ligi Ndogo was founded in 2002 with the view of creating an enabling environment for young people to nurture their soccer skills outside a normal learning curriculum.

Notable graduates of the academy include Swedish international John Guidetti, Liberian former international Alex Karmo and Kenyan international Ayub Masika, Humphrey Mieno, Edwin Lavatsa and Jesse Were.

Jesse Were currently plays for Zesco United in the Zambian Super League, Humphrey Mieno plays for Tusker, Edwin Lavatsa plays for Bandari FC while Ayub Masika plays for Beijing Renhe in the Chinese Super League.

FISA soccer academy

Friendship International Sports Academy (FISA) was founded in 2006 by its directors, Dr. Maurice Awang Owuor and Mr. Amit Shah.

The academy draws children and teenagers from neighboring neighborhoods of Mukuru slum and South B.

Some of FISA graduates include; Paul Were who plays for Kalamata FC in Greece, Kevin Omondi who played for Gor Mahia and Moroka Swallows in South Africa, Musa Mohamed who plays for Gor Mahia and Victor Ashinga who plays for Thika United.

National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA)

NYTA’s formation was inspired by the 2008 post-election violence. The academy was formed with the aim of tapping raw talents that were being mismanaged by politicians for their selfish gains.

NYTA alumni include Musa Bashir who plays for Hong Dong FC in China, Abdul Malik who plays in Sweden, Andrew Murunga (Tusker), John Nairuka (Thika United) and Dashan Lebembe (Kakamega Homeboys).

Ulinzi FC is the biggest beneficiary with four ex-NYTA players – Justin Olwang’a, Anthony Muriithi, Peter Opiyo and Enoch Nabwire.

There is so much untapped talent in Kenya, some have not been able to make it to sports academies, yet they are so good in playing football.

Do you know any talented person whose story you can share? Whether they are playing football, hockey, rugby, tennis, athletics etc.

An initiative dubbed ‘Tujiamini’ was launched a month ago courtesy of SportPesa with the aim of giving such talented people a platform to nurture their talents.

By nominating a talent or sharing a story of upcoming sports talent, they will get:

1.Exposure

2.Selected talents will get an access to training camps

3.Sportpesa will also facilitate an introduction of selected talents to relevant sports clubs

Click the link below to nominate any talented person you know:

Tujiamini talent

5 inspirational stories of ‘amateurs’ from Kenya who defied all odds to make a mark in global sports history

Posted on November 8, 2017November 14, 2017 by Martin Oduor

They started out as amateurs but determination drove them to new heights than they could have possibly imagined.

Forget the scores and stats, there are a handful of Kenyan sportsmen and women who have inspired the world by sheer display of resilience and desire to achieve success when all odds were against them.

The list below illuminates sportsmen and women whose inspirational stories scream loudly at mankind the message that nothing is impossible when we believe in ourselves. The message of ‘Tujiamini’:

Philip Boit, Cross-country skier

80% of Kenyans probably don’t know what cross-country skiing is all about. Is it even a sport to start with? Cross-country skiing is one of the sports contested in Winter Olympic games.

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia received scant attention in Kenya thanks to Philip Boit. He is the first Kenyan to participate in a Winter Olympics event. Boit’s first event was the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

The Kenyan had only seen snow for the first time in his life in 1996. A former middle-distance runners with no previous skiing experience, Boit began training in February 1996 before he represented Kenya in 1998 Winter Olympics where he finished 92nd and last in the 10-kilometer classic race.

The awards for the race were delayed while the winner Bjørn Dæhlie waited for Boit to reach the finish line so that he could hug him. The experience was so moving for Boit that he named one of his sons Dæhlie Boit.

Philip Boit at the1998 Winter Olympics in Japan

Maasai Cricket Warriors

Nearly all international media houses covered the story of a group of amateur Maasai warriors who dropped their spears to play cricket.

The Maasai Cricket Warriors from Laikipia are using their love for the game to convey messages and awareness against social injustices in their community.

The warriors are actively campaigning against degenerating and destructive cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early childhood marriages, which are vigorously donating to the spread and increase in the cases of HIV/AIDS.

The warriors use cricket to empower girls and woman, target substance and alcohol abuse, animal poaching and strive to build peace amongst communities.

The Maasai warriors took up cricket in 2009. They were introduced to the game by Aliya Bauer, a South African woman conducting research in the area who was missing the sport she loved. She brought over some equipment from her home country and started teaching the locals to play.

The warriors’ love for cricket soon attracted a great deal of media attention. The cricket warriors were the subject of a documentary in 2015.

Julius Yego

‘Mr. YouTube’ boasts of Olympic silver medal in javelin and mark you he learned how to throw by watching YouTube videos of javelin athletes.

Yego became interested in the javelin throw as a youth but he had no access to training facilities or a coach. This however didn’t stop him from realizing his dream, he thought himself how to throw by watching YouTube clips.
Yego won his first national title in the javelin at the age of 19 in 2008, and defended it in both 2009 and 2010.

He boasts of other medals including Olympic silver medal which he won in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games.
Yego scooped gold medals in World Championships (Beijing, 2015), Commonwealth Games (Glasgow 2014), All-Africa Games (2011) and African Championships (2012 and 2014).

Fatuma Zarika

She started out as an amateur boxer in Mathare and ended up being the first Kenyan female boxer to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantam weight title.
Zarika grew up in Riruta satellite estate before she moved to Mathare North slum after her mother passed away. She decided to be a boxer after watching Laila Ali in action, the thrill of seeing Ali punch opponents to submission drove Zarika into boxing.
Zarika started training in 2000 and fought in several amateur games before turning professional in 2001. Just like other Kenyan boxers, Zarika faced major challenges due to lack of support, recognition and goodwill from stakeholders.

Zarika however received the much-needed support when SportPesa decided to sponsor her. SportPesa helped her access world class training facilities. In September 2017, Zarika left Kenya for Los Angeles, US where she trained at Berry’s Boxing Gym ahead of the boxing match with Zambia’s Catherine Phiri.

5 things to marvel about Gor Mahia’s win of SportPesa Premier League 2017

Posted on October 24, 2017October 24, 2017 by Martin Oduor

Gor Mahia won their 16th premier league title on Saturday October 21st after beating Ulinzi Stars in a thrilling match played at Kericho Green Stadium.

Meddie Kagere scored a beautiful goal in the 12th minute to give K’ogalo maximum pointed needed to win 2017 SportPesa Premier League.

There are several things to marvel about Gor Mahia’s win of SportPesa Premier League. Below are the 5 important things to note looking back at K’ogalo campaign this season:

Team spirit

Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere dribbles past Ulinzi Stars defender during their SportPesa Premier League match at Kericho Green Stadium on October 22, 2017. Photo/Nation

Gor Mahia were in to win starting from the beginning of the season. The club lost premier league title to Tusker in 2016 and were desperate to get it back.

K’ogalo had previously won the premier league title for three consecutive years – 2013, 2014, and 2015. The team believed in themselves and they did it in 2017.

The fans

Gor Mahia fans braved chilly weather to cheer their team during their SportPesa Premier League match at Kericho Green Stadium on October 22, 2017. Photo/Nation

Gor Mahia’s legion of fans stood by their team even when they lost 2016 SportPesa Premier League title to Tusker.

The team’s fans remained loyal to the club showing them support throughout the season. Fans traveled with Gor wherever they played filling stadia and cheering their favorite team.

K’ogalo’s loyal fans braved heavy rain in Kericho on Saturday when Gor beat Ulinzi to win the 2017 title. Heavy rains did not stop fans from filling Kericho Green Stadium. Gor’s fans wanajiamini.

Gor’s strikers

Gor Mahia striker Meddie Kagere celebrates after scoring against Ulinzi. Photo/Nation

Looking at the number of goals Gor’s strikers have scored this season it’s hard not to marvel at their swashbuckling performance.

K’ogallo’s strikers Jacques Tuyisenge and Meddie Kagere have scored 23 goals this season. Meddie scored the important goal that won Gor the 2017 SportPesa Premier League.

Gor’s impressive form

Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr celebrates after winning the SportPesa Premier League title after their 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars at the Kericho Green Stadium on October 22, 2017. Photo/Nation

K’ogalo has played 30 games, won 20, drew 6 and lost 4. They won their 16th premiership trophy with four matches to spare. Their closest rival Tusker trail them with 14 points.

Sponsorship

A few years ago, Gor Mahia faced all sorts of problems including players losing morale due to delayed salaries and lack of funds to travel abroad for continental showpieces.

Every so often politicians and Gor’s fans had to chip in to finance the club’s activities. All these problems ended when SportPesa took over the club’s sponsorship.

SportPesa did not only solve Gor’s financial problems but also provided an avenue for the club to reach new heights. Remember Gor is the first Kenyan club to play English side Everton courtesy of SportPesa.

Wayne Rooney attempts to go past Gor Mahia defenders during Everton Vs Gor match played in Dar es Salaam on 13 July 2017. Photo/Courtesy

Gor beat arch-rivals AFC Leopards 3-0 to clinch the SportPesa Super Cup title and won a ticket to play Everton. They also pocketed Kes 3 million prize money when they won the Super Cup.

K’ogalo gave Everton a run for their money when they faced off in Dar es Salaam on 13 July 2017. They lost 2-1 but they gained experience playing against the English club.

By winning SportPesa Premier League 2017, Gor Mahia automatically qualifies for the 2018 CAF Champions League. K’ogallo can actually win CAF Champions League trophy, remember they won it way back in 1987. With support from us Kenyans, Gor can win CAF Champions League trophy again. Tujiamini!

Kenya women’s national volleyball team defied all odds to qualify for World Championship in Japan

Posted on October 18, 2017October 18, 2017 by Martin Oduor

Kenya women’s national volleyball team ‘Malaika’ qualified the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan against insurmountable odds. Looking back at their campaign so far it is hard not to marvel at the incredible solidarity and professionalism Malkia have shown amid the backdrop of setbacks.

Malaika kick started their qualification campaign with a lot of hiccups including inadequate training. The team was locked out of their training facility in Kasarani following wrangles with Sports Kenya – the state corporation that maintains Kasarani Indoor Arena.

The impasse was finally resolved after SportPesa intervened. SportPesa, which has been on the forefront sponsoring all sporting activities in Kenya, believed in Malkia’s ability to shine in the continental showpiece in Cameroon when everyone turned a blind eye to their plight.

Malkia during African Women Volleyball Championship in Cameroon. Photo/Capital FM

The gaming giant came through and made sure Malkia trained for the few remaining days before they flew to Cameroon for the African Women Volleyball Championship.

The national women volleyball team put up an impressive performance in Cameroon. They qualified for world championship after beating continental giants Egypt in pulsating semifinal.

Impressive performance from Malkia’s strikers Jane Wacu, Mercy Moim and Edith Wisa ensured Kenya booked a place in the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. They hammered Egypt winning 25-23, 25-22 and 25-19.

Malkia in action against Egypt. Photo/Capital FM

Malkia however failed to win the 2017 African Women Volleyball Championship even though they reached the finals. But they previously won the same competition for a record 9 times. If SportPesa hadn’t intervened to facilitate the training camp perhaps Malkia’s performance would have been worse.

SportPesa alone without the support of Kenyans can’t do much. If only Kenyans could believe in Malkia like the way SportPesa did, then no obstacle is too great to overcome. If we believe in ourselves there is nothing we can’t achieve.

Malkia celebrate after they secured ticket to the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. Photo/Capital Fm

It’s only through our support that we can ensure absurd thing like Malkia being locked out of their training facility never happens again. The national women volleyball team can actually win the 2018 FIVB World Championship in Japan. But first we Kenyans have a role to play, we have to start by believing in our team. Tujiamini.

No more bashing of our sportsmen! Awesome campaign ‘Tujiamini’ launched to give Kenya’s heroes and heroines new lifeline

Posted on October 10, 2017October 10, 2017 by Martin Oduor

A dark cloud descended on Kenya when Dennis Oliech was trolled on social media because ‘he had become broke’. This shocking precedence has been countered by a new campaign Tujiamini.

Tujiamini, which means let us believe in ourselves, is a bold campaign to rally Kenyans to stand with our sportsmen and women through thick and thin in a bid to spur the growth of local sports.

It’s only through changing our mentality about local sports and showing unwavering support to our sportsmen and women that we can initiate change and even implore the government to invest more in sports. That’s the spirit of Tujiamini, to change the tides in Kenyan sports by inspiring our sportsmen and women.

Tujiamini campaign was launched today Tuesday October 10th at the Carnivore Ground. SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri delivered a powerful message.

L-R: Tony Njuguna, Douglas Wakiihuri, Dr. Kipchoge Keino, Patrick Njiru, and Martin Keino at the launch of Tujiamini

Karauri insisted that no amount of investment from private sector or the government could bring about change in sports if Kenyans themselves do not show support to our sportsmen and women. He said we could have world class stadia across the country but if Kenyans don’t turn up and fill those stadia then we will keep watching EPL when our own local league goes down the drain.

SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri speaks during the launch of Tujiamini

The SportPesa CEO stressed that we must nurture young talents and stand with them not only when they win but also show them support when they fail. Karauri reiterated that real change in sports can only happen if Kenyans show their support.

L-R: Rally legend Patrick Njiru, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri and 2016 Olympic marathon gold medallist Eliud Kipchoge

Karauri’s sentiments were also echoed by Kenyan legends Kipchoge Keino, Patrick Njiru and other sports heroes and heroines who were in attendance at the launch of Tujiamini.

Ambassador Awouri delivers speech at the launch of Tujiamini

The ball is in our court, we can rally as a nation, as believers, as the force behind these great sportsmen and women with one call, Tujiamini. Lets fill our stadia and stop trolling our sports heroes and heroines.