-The event began with exhilarating Athletic Competitions, where standout performances lit up the track;
NELSON WANJALA-IMG KENYA LIMITED;
The BingwaFest 2024 Western Kenya Edition marked three days of Sports action and community celebration, with Athletes from Kakamega and neighboring Counties dazzling in Athletics, Football, 3×3 Basketball, and Rugby, captivating enthusiastic crowds and setting a high bar for future editions.
The event began with exhilarating Athletic competitions, where standout performances lit up the track.
On Day 1, 2024 Africa Games 10,000m gold medalist Janeth Chepng’etich seized the spotlight as a double Champion in the 10,000m and 5000m races.
The sprints were fiercely contested, with Meshack Babu and Eunice Kadogo taking top honors in the 100m, while Kyumbe Munguti and Josephine Chelang’at triumphed in the 1500m.
As the festival progressed, the excitement shifted to team Sports in which the 3×3 basketball tournament delivered heart-pounding matchups, culminating in a dramatic Men’s final where local heroes Waingo Basketball edged out Jao Garments in overtime.
The Women’s title went to Aces, who showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, and in the finals against Snack Pick Buddies, where they won comfortably.
Football fans were treated to a sensational final day as Bungoma Stars FC clinched the Men’s title with a nail-biting 1-0 victory against Lurambi side AP Seals FC.
In the Women’s final, Malava outfit Mali Mali FC emerged victorious with a 2-1 win against Kakamega Starlets, rounding off a memorable tournament.
A highlight of this year’s festival was the debut of the BingwaFest Rugby 10s.
Men’s teams from across the region competed in the 10-a-side format, while women’s teams battled in Rugby sevens, showcasing Western Kenya’s burgeoning Rugby talent.
Rugby legend Fred Ollows, who oversaw the tournament, lauded the high level of competition and the promising future for the sport in the region.
Western Spears and Makunga RFC took home the women’s and men’s rugby trophies, respectively.
The winning teams in Rugby and Football were awarded Sh1 million, with Sh500,000 and Sh250,000 going to the second and third-place finishers.
True to tradition, BingwaFest awarded equal prize money to the Men’s and Women’s teams, championing gender equality in Sports.
Betika Group CEO, Mutua Mutava, commended the Athletes and fans for their enthusiastic participation, underscoring Betika’s dedication to nurturing talent across Kenya. “BingwaFest is more than a sports event; it’s a celebration of community spirit and the incredible potential of Kenyan youth.
“We are proud to offer a platform where young athletes can showcase their talents and earn a livelihood,” Mutava said. He emphasized, “Our investment in this tournament reflects our commitment to investing in the youth through sports, providing opportunities for growth, development, and a brighter future, “said Mutava.
As the sun set on the final day, the BingwaFest Western Kenya Edition not only showcased the region’s depth of talent but also reinforced sports as a unifying force in the Community.
The top performers from this edition will advance to the National finals, where they will compete against the best from other regions.
With the success of the Western Kenya Edition, excitement is already building for the upcoming BingwaFest event in Nyanza, slated for August 22.
ENDS;
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