NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 13 – Double Paralympic champion Henry Wanyoike says his eyes are trailed on an elusive marathon gold at July’s World Para-Athletics Championships in France.
Wanyoike said the marathon title would be the perfect way to cap off his illustrious career that began in 1995.
“I am still active in athletics…last event we were in was in Cologne last year. The only thing that is remaining for me is to win the Paralympics marathon title. I am working hard towards that…I still have my three world records in the 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon. But, this year, I am aiming for the marathon gold in France,” Wanyoike said.
Wanyoike’s first paralympic medal came at the Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000 where he clinched gold in the men’s 5000m T11, following it up with two more gold at the 2004 Athens Paralympics in the 5000m T11 and 10,000m T11.
He added another bronze in the 5000m T11 at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in addition to two silver medals won at the 2006 World Para Athletics Championships in Assen, the Netherlands.
Reflecting on his career, Wanyoike noted the role of the media and corporate bodies in highlighting his achievements and helping to mentor upcoming sportspersons in the country.
“It is a great honour to be here and I really appreciate the support that you provide for champions to help inspire the upcoming generation. This shows that you have sports at heart. The media has a big role in growing this industry by highlighting the achievements of Kenyan sportspersons and subsequently inspiring the younger ones,” he said.
Wanyoike was speaking on Friday afternoon at Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi during the announcement of a total of Kes 5 million shilling-sponsorship towards the 19th edition of the Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) awards.
Wanyoike, the first-ever recipient of the male sportsperson of the year award, spoke of how the SOYA awards impacted his career.
“I am greatly honoured because I was the first person to ever receive the SOYA award. It is noteworthy that I later on won the Lauren Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a disability. In Naivasha, I was also awarded the trophy for the most resilient so I thank you so much for the support accorded to me,” he said.
The gala is set to be held on Friday next week at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) and will award winners in nine different categories.
Echoing Wanyoike’s sentiments, SOYA founder Paul Tergat acknowledged that sportspersons need all the help they can get if they are to realise the full measure of their potential.
“I remember when I started my athletics career, I did not know much. It was because of you guys (the media) that I have reached where I am. You play an integral role in enabling sportspersons to grow,” the five-time world cross country champion said.
Tergat, also the president of National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), recalled the origins of the annual award, which brings together different sportspersons under one roof – in appreciation of their accomplishments in the industry.
“When we started this initiative, there were very few of us. Even though I was still active in athletics, I was already thinking of how I could be of help to sportspersons and appreciate them more. I remember when we used to come from international assignments and there would be no one to receive us at the airport,” he said.
Tergat added: “We really appreciate you as all the sponsors and for walking with us all these years. I want to tell you that your efforts are not in vain.”
Award fair play
Speaking at the same function, Lotto Foundation CEO Joan Mwaura encouraged the selection panel to develop a new category that awards sportspersons who have embraced the values of integrity, transparency and discipline in their careers, while avoiding vices, such as doping.
“Soya ties in with our vision to helping Kenyan sportspersons to grow. We would like it if you could also reward those sportspersons who have not had any scandals in their careers and have helped their local communities in a positive way. It’s unfortunate that doping has become a major problem in our country,” she said.
National Social Security Fund (NSSF) director of corporate affairs Christopher Khisa, on the other hand, encouraged sportspersons and sports scribes to save part of their income with the public corporation.
This year’s awards have been sponsored by the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC), Lotto Foundation, NSSF and Safaricom PLC.
