This afternoon, BINGWAFEST by Betika na Community Foundation was launched at GTZ Residence, Westlands Road, NAIROBI. The function was presided over by the Betika Group CEO Mutua Musava.
BINGWAFEST is a new and innovative nationwide multiport competition. It will feature football, athletics, 3×3 basketball and, for the first time, rugby. The inaugural tournament took place last year in Eldoret. This initiative aims to gather the most talented young athletes from across Kenya’s seven regions, culminating in a national tournament at the year’s end.
The rugby version is the conclusion of consultations between the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) Director in charge of Development, Dr. Ochieng Ahaya and BINGWAFEST Rugby Lead, Fred Ollows. Ollows is a former head of the development and technical function at KRU.
Ahaya said: “This is a very welcome property in our game development. Most times we do not attract much interest in the development arm. That tends to be reserved for the more visible aspects of the game, especially the elite game. The commercial metrics of those ones are much easier to quantify than development which is more long term. We are grateful for Betika’s interest”
The first two BINGWAFEST tournaments will be in the Western and Nyanza Regions. The Western tournament is scheduled to be held at Mumias Sugar Complex on August 8th, 9th and 10th, 2024. The Nyanza tournament will be held at the Mamboleo Stadium, Kisumu on August 22nd, 23rd and 24th. There will be satellite venues at Kisumu National Polytechnic.
“Kenya’s Western Zone has produced many great athletes. Indeed, it particularly is, the granary for Kenyan ball sports. It is a tribute to this reality that it was decided to kick of the BINGWAFEST activities in this zone,” said Ollows. “I am happy with the rugby inclusion and confident that rugby will demonstrate why it’s the most successful ball sport in Kenya”
Kate Arudo, the Betika PR Manager intimated: “In Rugby, the BINGWAFEST mission is to develop grassroots rugby and enhance retention of young players in Kenya. BINGWAFEST will provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills to be talent identified by clubs. We would be excited to contribute to a pathway to the Kenya Under 20 and Simbas teams”
The tournament will offer significant incentive and especially for podium finishes to participant teams and players. This will be outlined ahead of the tournament start.
The rest of the tournament schedule is as follows:
Eastern, September 5th, 8th and 7th.
Coast, September 19th, 20th and 21st.
Nairobi, October 3rd, 4th and 5th
Central, November 7th, 8th and 9th
Rift Valley, November 14th, 15th and 16th
Credits -James Njenga.
