Double Tragedy Strikes Kenyan Athletics: Two Stars Lost Within 24 Hours

Shabana FC Fights Back in Court After Fan Ban Over Ulinzi Stadium Violence

By Collins Wanzallah

Shabana Football Club has taken its battle to the courts, filing an urgent appeal before the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) to overturn a ban imposed by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). The club’s legal team is pushing back against accusations that their supporters were involved in the violence and destruction of property during last weekend’s match at Ulinzi Complex Stadium in Nairobi.

The chaos that erupted at the stadium has landed Shabana FC in hot water, with FKF slapping a five-match ban on the club’s supporters. If upheld, the ruling will prevent fans from attending home games, a move that Shabana’s lawyers argue will cripple the club financially.

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, a team of city lawyers – Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, Sam Nyaberi, and Paul Macharia – came out swinging, arguing that Shabana FC stands to lose millions in revenue from the absence of their loyal fanbase.

Omari made it clear that there is no direct evidence linking Shabana’s supporters to the damage at the stadium. “Not a single piece of CCTV footage or witness statement shows that Shabana fans were responsible,” he said, adding that Ulinzi Stars fans could just as easily have been behind the chaos.

“This decision is overly harsh,” Omari continued. “None of the Shabana fans were given a chance to defend themselves, and there seems to be a plot to stifle the talent coming out of Gusii land.”

The legal team also highlighted the significant economic impact the ban would have on the local community. “Hotels are fully booked ahead of the return match in Gusii, and small businesses like mama mbogas and those selling bananas will lose big if the fans are kept away, especially those travelling from the city,” Omari said.

The lawyers are now calling for intervention from President William Ruto, Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and Gusii leaders to step in and prevent what they describe as an unfair attack on the club. Omari hinted that powerful forces, whom he referred to as “cartels,” are behind the move to weaken Shabana FC.

The heated clash between Ulinzi Stars and Shabana FC ended in a 2-2 draw, but the fallout has been explosive. Yesterday, FKF chairman Michael Majua issued a directive banning Shabana fans for five matches and ordering the club to cover all medical expenses for officers injured in the fracas.

The club’s supporters now await the tribunal’s decision, hoping that justice will be served and they will be allowed back into the stands to cheer on their team.

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Rebecca Cheptegei’s Death Highlights Gender-Based Violence

Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, a marathon runner who recently participated in the Paris Olympics, has tragically passed away after being set alight by her boyfriend. This horrifying incident has ignited widespread outrage and brought renewed attention to the persistent problem of gender-based violence in the region.

Key Points:

• Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympian, tragically died after being set on fire by her boyfriend.
• The incident took place in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, following a domestic altercation.
• Cheptegei suffered burns to 75% of her body and ultimately succumbed to multi-organ failure.
• The tragedy has underscored the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Kenya and Uganda.

Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, was assaulted by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, at her residence in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Ndiema allegedly poured petrol on her and set her ablaze during a dispute over land. Cheptegei was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she was treated for burns covering 75% of her body. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, she died from multi-organ failure.

The Uganda Athletics Federation and the Uganda Olympic Committee have expressed profound grief and condemned the violent act. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also conveyed his shock and sorrow, stating that Cheptegei’s participation in the Paris Olympics had been a source of inspiration.

Cheptegei’s death marks the third high-profile case of violence against female athletes in Kenya in recent years. In 2021, Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Damaris Mutua was discovered strangled. Both incidents involved intimate partners as the main suspects.

This tragic event has brought attention to the widespread nature of gender-based violence in Kenya and Uganda. Recent statistics indicate that 34% of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, while in Uganda, 95% of women have endured physical or sexual violence at the hands of a partner or non-partner.

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen and Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, have called for stronger measures to combat gender-based violence. Amnesty International Kenya has also highlighted the urgent need to address femicide in the country.

Rebecca Cheptegei was not only a distinguished athlete but also a dedicated member of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. She had a successful career in long-distance running, winning numerous international competitions and representing Uganda in several World Athletics Cross Country Championships. Her untimely death is a devastating loss to the athletics community and her family.

Former Footballer Collins Okoth Arraigned Over Murder Charges

By THE DISPATCH DIGITAL REPORTER

Former Harambee Stars player Collins Okoth Ougo, famously known as Gattuso, was arraigned today alongside his co-accused, Silvia Aoko, in connection with the murder of a minor in Lucky Summer Estate, Ruaraka, Nairobi. The duo appeared before Justice Alexander Muteti at the Milimani Law Courts, where they were expected to plead to the charges. However, they did not do so, as the court awaits the filing of mental assessment reports on 11th September 2024.

The prosecution confirmed that both suspects had undergone medical evaluations as part of the legal process. During the court session, the Investigating Officer (I.O.) was summoned to clarify allegations that he had refused to release a mobile phone and money belonging to Mr. Okoth, who is well-known for his football career with several Kenyan Premier League clubs.

The I.O. informed the court that, during the arrest, a Samsung mobile phone and a wallet containing two identification cards and an NHIF card were recovered and recorded in an inventory signed by the suspect. Following this, Justice Muteti directed the officer to return the Samsung phone to Mr. Okoth and to file a formal complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) if necessary.

Collins Okoth, a former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars midfielder, and his co-accused, Silvia Aoko Odhiambo, are accused of the murder of three-year-old Pamela Atieno, also known as Scovian Maya, in April 2024. The case has drawn significant public attention due to Okoth’s prominence in Kenyan football.

As investigations continue, Okoth remains in custody at the Industrial Area Remand Prison, while Aoko is being held at Lang’ata Women’s Prison. The outcome of the mental assessments and the subsequent court proceedings will determine the next steps in this high-profile case.

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Busia Half Marathon for Cancer Awareness to be Held in December

By Collins Wanzallah, The Dispatch Digital

A marathon aimed at raising cancer awareness and providing support for patients is scheduled for December in Busia County. The “Busia Half Marathon,” organized by the Western Development Initiative Association (WEDIA) in conjunction with Athletics Kenya, will take place on December 15, 2024.

WEDIA Chairman Barasa, alongside Secretary General Aggrey Okunyanyi, announced that the proceeds from the race, themed ‘Run For Cancer,’ will go towards creating cancer awareness in the county and assisting financially struggling cancer patients.

In addition to the Half Marathon, which will feature international runners, the event will include a 10km race for locals and a 3km race for children under 15. This second edition of the marathon is expected to attract over 3,000 runners from across Kenya and neighboring Uganda. The race will start at Nambale town and finish at Busia Polytechnic.

“We have reached out to various corporate sponsors and hope they support this initiative to save lives and nurture young talents,” Barasa stated. WEDIA has also invited First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto to be the chief guest, given her active role in the fight against cancer in Kenya.

Participants who finish between first and tenth place will receive certificates. The winners of the Half Marathon in both men’s and women’s categories will each receive KSh 300,000. The second-place finishers will receive KSh 150,000, and third-place finishers will get KSh 100,000. In the 10km race, the top three winners will be awarded KSh 200,000, KSh 100,000, and KSh 50,000, respectively.

All participants will receive certificates bearing the logos of the organizers, Athletics Kenya, and sponsors. The first edition of the race, held in 2011, was the first ever in the Western Region, sponsored by Coca-Cola through Equator Bottlers, Kenya Commercial Bank, Tesia Supermarket, and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.

Barasa called on local leaders to support the event preparations, emphasizing that it will put Busia County on the global map and generate revenue.=

Ferdinand Omanyala: Why The Sprinter Continues to Struggle on the Biggest Stage

Ferdinand Omanyala is a name that resonates with pride in Kenyan athletics. The sprinter, known for his explosive speed and charismatic personality, has often been hailed as the nation’s fastest man and a beacon of hope in the sprinting world. Yet, despite his undeniable talent and the blistering times he clocks in smaller meets, Omanyala’s performances on the grandest stages—major championships like the World Championships and the Olympics—have left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads. Why does the man who has shown so much promise in the 100 meters continue to falter when it matters most?

Omanyala’s journey in athletics is nothing short of remarkable. Starting his sprinting career relatively late, the Kenyan policeman quickly made a name for himself by breaking the African record for the 100 meters, clocking an astonishing 9.77 seconds in September 2021. This feat not only catapulted him to the forefront of African sprinting but also placed him among the fastest men in the world. With such a rapid rise, expectations were sky-high. Kenya, a nation renowned for its dominance in middle and long-distance running, finally had a sprinter who could challenge the world’s best in the 100 meters.

A Consistent Performer—Until It Matters Most

On the track, Omanyala is a powerhouse. His acceleration is formidable, and his top-end speed rivals that of the best in the world. In local and regional competitions, he has consistently outclassed his competitors, often winning with a clear margin. However, when it comes to major international competitions, the story changes.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), Omanyala reached the semifinals but could not advance to the final. The 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, followed a similar script, with Omanyala failing to make it past the semifinals despite being in excellent form leading up to the event. The pattern repeated at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, where Omanyala once again could not deliver on the promise that his form and confidence suggested.

The Mental Game: A Stumbling Block?

One of the most frequently cited reasons for Omanyala’s struggles at major events is the psychological pressure. In smaller competitions, where the spotlight is less intense, Omanyala seems to thrive, running with freedom and fluidity. However, the pressure cooker environment of the Olympics or World Championships is a different beast. The weight of expectations, both from himself and from an entire nation, could be taking a toll on his performance.

Athletics, particularly sprinting, is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. The ability to remain calm and composed in the face of immense pressure is what separates the greats from the good. Omanyala, despite his undeniable talent, may still be grappling with this aspect of competition. His pre-race demeanor, often marked by intense focus and confidence, might be masking an underlying tension that manifests in those crucial moments when the starting gun fires.

While Omanyala’s raw speed is unquestionable, there have been whispers in the athletics community about certain technical aspects of his race that might be hindering his performance on the big stage. Sprinting is a highly technical discipline, where even the slightest inefficiency can cost precious hundredths of a second.

One area where Omanyala might be losing time is his start. In a race as short as the 100 meters, the start is crucial, and any hesitation or lack of explosiveness off the blocks can put a sprinter at a disadvantage that is difficult to recover from. In major competitions, where the margins are razor-thin, this disadvantage is magnified.

The Burden of Expectation

Kenya’s dominance in athletics has primarily been in the middle and long distances, with legends like Naftali Temu, Kipchoge Keino, John Ngugi, Catherine Ndereba, Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, and Faith Kipyegon leading the way. Omanyala’s emergence as a world-class sprinter brought with it a unique kind of pressure. He is not just running for himself; he is running for a nation that desperately wants to see him succeed in a discipline where Kenya has not traditionally excelled.

This burden of expectation, while inspiring, can also be overwhelming. Omanyala’s desire to deliver a historic victory for Kenya may be adding to the pressure he faces, making it harder for him to perform at his best when it counts the most.

Ferdinand Omanyala’s story is far from over. At 28, (born on January 2, 1996, he is still in his prime, and there is no doubt that he has the potential to break through at a major championship. To do so, he will need to address the mental and technical aspects of his performance, ensuring that he can replicate the form he shows in smaller meets on the biggest stages.

Omanyala has the tools to be a great sprinter, but the next step in his journey will be the hardest one—turning potential into podium finishes when the world is watching.

French Athlete Anthony Ammirati in Tears After ‘Blessed’ Manhood Stops His Quest for Gold

Pole Vaulting Misadventure: French Athlete Anthony Ammirati Goes Viral for Unusual Reason

By THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL TEAM

French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati became an unexpected internet sensation for a reason he would have preferred to avoid. Competing in front of a packed home crowd at the Stade de France on Saturday, August 3, the 21-year-old narrowly missed securing a spot in the men’s pole vault final due to a most unusual mishap.

During his second attempt at clearing 5.70 meters, Ammirati’s leg initially disturbed the bar, but it was ultimately his bulge that dislodged it, preventing a successful vault. The moment, captured on video and shared widely on social media, quickly went viral.

Ammirati, dressed in a tight leotard, was aiming to clear the height but fell short due to his manhood making contact with the bar. The incident left him in 15th place, well outside the qualifying range for the final.

Social media users were quick to react, with many making light-hearted comments about the unfortunate event. “Not the worst thing in the world losing a gold medal because you’re packing a French baguette,” joked one user on X, formerly Twitter. Others humorously noted that Ammirati was “vaulting with the wrong pole.”

Despite the disappointment, Ammirati remained composed. In a statement from the French Athletics Federation, he expressed his regret but also his enjoyment of competing in front of a home crowd. “It’s a big disappointment,” he said. “The conditions were good. It’s the first time I’ve started a competition without any stress. As I was a total outsider, I only had one goal: to play with the audience. I was almost there.”

While the incident marked a low point in Ammirati’s Olympic journey, it also highlighted the lighter side of sports. Fans and commentators alike found humor in the situation, with some even imagining a new Olympic flag in his honor, playfully altering the traditional rings.

Excerpt

“French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati became an unexpected internet sensation after a viral video showed his bulge dislodging the bar during an Olympic attempt. Despite missing out on the final, social media users humorously celebrated his ‘genetic lottery win.’ Ammirati, who remained gracious, expressed disappointment but was glad to compete in front of a home crowd..”

Sedjati Gunning for Rudisha’s World Record at Olympics

Djamel Sedjati has two aims coming into the Paris Olympics: to medal for Algeria after the country drew a blank in Tokyo three years ago and to break David Rudisha’s 800m world record.

Algeria’s failure to medal at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 was seen as a massive disappointment.

It had come in the wake of Taoufik Makhloufi winning 1500m gold in London in 2012 and double 800-1500m silvers in Rio four years later.

But now the north African country has an athlete in the form of his life and gunning for what remains one of the toughest world records.

Rudisha set the mark of 1min 40.91sec when winning gold in the London Olympics in 2012.

It was a simply stunning run, but for the first time since that heady night in the British capital, there is a feeling Sedjati could be the one to threaten the time.

This year has been a real breakthrough season for the 25-year-old, born in the northern Algerian city of Tiaret.

He broke Makhloufi’s national record at the Paris Diamond League meeting this month, clocking an outstanding 1:41.56 to become the third fastest athlete in the history of the race after Rudisha and Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer (1:41.11).

Algeria’s Olympic legacy

Sedjati did not sit on his laurels after Paris, improving his time to 1:41.46, a Diamond League record and new world leading time, just five days later in Monaco.

“I am now thinking of the world record, I hope to run it at the Olympic Games,” said the Algerian, who claimed silver at the 2022 Eugene world championships.

“I will focus on that and put in the necessary work so that I can achieve my goal.

“It’s the fourth time I’ve run a world lead and the second time an Algerian record, I have worked really hard for that.”

Sedjati, who this year has also set a world lead of 2:13.97 over the 1000m, in Johannesburg, added: “I will keep the preparation the same.

“My mindset is that the hard work I have put in will pay off.”

A trip to the Paris Olympics will hold extra meaning for Sedjati, who was forced into quarantine at the Tokyo Games after contracting Covid-19 shortly after his arrival in the Japanese capital.

And as an Algerian at the Olympics, he has a lot to live up to.

The north African country, which made its Olympic debut in 1964, has garnered nine medals in athletics, including four gold.

Those to have topped the podium aside from Makhloufi in 2012 are all middle-distance runners: Nouria Benida Merah (1500m, 2000), Noureddine Morsli (1500m, 1996) and Hassiba Boulmerka (1500m, 1992).

Tellingly, Sedjati is currently coached by Ammar Benida Merah, who also oversaw his wife Nouria’s pathway to gold in Sydney.

Impressive South Sudan Braces for Ultimate Olympic Basketball Test Against US Stars

Olympic organisers might have played the wrong national anthem before South Sudan’s opening basketball game at the Paris Games, but the star-studded US team know for certain what they are up against next.

America’s men have never lost to an African side at the Olympics but they had a scare when they played South Sudan in a warm-up game in London on July 20.

US-born JT Thor, who plays for Charlotte in the NBA, hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds left to put South Sudan ahead, only for LeBron James to snatch a 101-100 win.

Wenyen Gabriel, a centre who was born in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and played eight seasons in the NBA — including a stint as a team-mate of James with the Los Angeles Lakers — said South Sudan could take positives from their defeat.

“A lot of people doubted us, and going toe-to-toe with the US, it brought our team together, it brought our country together,” he said.  

South Sudan won their first-ever Olympic basketball match 90-79 against Puerto Rico on Sunday while four-time defending champions the United States crushed Serbia 110-84.

New York-born coach Royal Ivey warned they would be facing a different United States on Wednesday.

“That was a friendly,” Ivey said, referring to the London contest. “They’re gonna be ready for us.”

“This is a movie,” he added. “This is so surreal. I couldn’t experience anything better than this.”

Ivey played 11 seasons in the NBA and was a teammate of American forward Kevin Durant at Oklahoma City.

“That’s definitely my little brother. I’ve known Kevin since he was 18 years old,” said Ivey. 

‘The happiest time’

After the Bright Stars beat Angola to qualify for Paris, Luol Deng, the former NBA star who is president of South Sudan’s basketball federation, told American broadcaster NBC that if there was an indoor court in the country he was not aware of it.

“It’s a new beginning for all of us,” said small forward Bul Kuol, who fled Sudan aged nine, spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya and plays professionally in Australia.

“The next generation now has a platform to grow on. And this is it right here.”

“No matter what tribe you’re from or what you’re facing — adversity, the war, or whatever — I think this has united us. It’s like every single tribe, every single town.”

He said the team’s approach was simple.

“We gotta win, we gotta win.”

South Sudan became an independent nation after it broke free from Sudan in 2011 but has lurched from crisis to crisis, enduring persistent armed violence, extreme hunger and natural disasters.

“It’s been a tough journey for me personally and for every single one of us. We all got a big story,” said forward Majok Deng, a refugee at the age of eight.

“Right now is the happiest time in our country since we got independence.

“It hasn’t always been a positive narrative coming out of our country. We’re a new country, we’re a new team, and just to paint this new narrative.”

He said South Sudan relished the support they received from the largely French crowd during their opener.

“Wherever we go, they were cheering for us, and they show up tonight (Sunday) again at the game. We appreciate every single fan in the world that is rooting for us.”