- The 21st edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards will be held on April 16, 2025, at KICC.
- The gala, themed ‘Celebrating Women’s Excellence in Sports’, will recognize athletes in 11 categories.
- Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon are prominent nominees for Sportswoman of the Year.
- Boniface Mugunde, after securing Kenya’s first African boxing title since 2017, is in the running for Sportsman of the Year.
The Sports Personality of the Year Awards (SOYA) will mark its 21st edition on April 16, 2025, with the event scheduled to take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women’s Excellence in Sports,” shines a spotlight on the outstanding achievements of women athletes, reflecting their growing influence in Kenyan sports.
Key Categories and Nominees
The event will recognize athletes across 11 categories. These include notable awards like Sports Woman of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, and Coach of the Year, among others.
Top Nominees for Sportswoman of the Year
Among the top contenders for Sportswoman of the Year are Beatrice Chebet and Faith Kipyegon. Chebet had an exceptional 2024, winning two gold medals at the Paris Olympics and breaking world records. Kipyegon, a consistent performer, also earned gold in the 1500m and broke her world record.
Sportsman of the Year Finalists
In the Sportsman of the Year category, Boniface Mugunde stands out after winning Kenya’s first African boxing title in nearly a decade. He faces competition from other elite athletes, including Albert Odero, Benson Kipruto, and Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Coach of the Year & Disability Categories
The Coach of the Year award features several prominent coaches, including Abdallah ‘Viduka’ Otieno and Mildred Cheche, who are nominated for their exceptional leadership in sports.
The Sportswoman with Disability and Sportsman with Disability categories will also recognize outstanding athletes like Sheila Wanyonyi and Samson Ojuka, respectively.
Recognizing Schools and Teams
The awards also celebrate achievements in school and team categories. Top School Teams include Kesogon Secondary School for girls and All Saints Embu for boys. In the Sports Team Women and Sports Team Men categories, teams like Kenya Women Amputee Football Team and Shujaa (Kenya’s rugby sevens team) are nominated.
Paul Tergat’s Vision for the Future
SOYA founder and five-time World Cross Country champion, Paul Tergat, highlighted that this year’s focus will be on celebrating women’s sports. Looking ahead, Tergat shared plans to expand the event’s scope, aiming to provide more support for athletes, helping them plan for both their sporting careers and future beyond the arena.
Tergat also thanked the event’s sponsors and partners for their continued support and emphasized the role of these awards in motivating Kenyan athletes to aim for greatness.
