By KPC Sports Reporter
World Cross Country Championships bronze medalist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo will be among more than 500 athletes competing at the penultimate leg of the second season of Betika BingwaFest, set for this weekend at the Mumias Sports Complex.
Fresh from his podium finish in the men’s senior race at the global showpiece, Ebenyo is expected to light up the athletics programme as he lines up in both the 10,000m and 5,000m races.
The double Olympic-distance specialist will be chasing a potential Ksh 550,000 windfall when athletics takes centre stage on Saturday.
Beyond track action, the Western Region edition will feature football, rugby and 3Ă—3 basketball, with teams and athletes battling for a share of the over Ksh 17 million prize pool.
Football matches kicked off on Monday, January 19, across various venues, while rugby and basketball contests are set to begin on Friday at the Bull Ring and the Mumias Sports Complex respectively.
All team sports will converge at the Mumias Sports Complex on Sunday for the finals.
Betika Head of Brand Eric Mwiti said the Western region remains a vital hub for nurturing sporting talent.
“We are excited to be in Western this weekend as we near the end of the second season. This is a region that remains a hub for top talents, and we are here to give those talents a chance to be seen, while at the same time putting them on the same stage against some of the best,” said Mwiti.
“We look forward to an entertaining weekend as we look for the Western Bingwas.”
The second season of the multi-disciplinary sports extravaganza began in August, with Nakuru hosting the Rift Valley leg at Afraha Stadium.
The tour has since passed through Siaya (Nyanza), Machakos (Eastern), Nairobi, and Meru (Central), and will conclude with the Coast region next month.
In team sports, winners of the men’s and women’s football and rugby competitions will each pocket Ksh 1 million.
First runners-up will earn Ksh 500,000, while second runners-up will receive Ksh 250,000.
In 3Ă—3 basketball, champions will take home Ksh 500,000, with second- and third-placed teams earning Ksh 250,000 and Ksh 100,000 respectively.
On the track, gold medalists in the 10,000m will earn Ksh 300,000, with subsequent places taking home Ksh 250,000, Ksh 200,000, Ksh 100,000 and Ksh 75,000.
Winners of the 5,000m will receive Ksh 250,000, while prize money will also be awarded to the top five finishers.
Similar prize structures apply to the 100m, 400m, 800m and 1,500m races.
As with previous editions, a free medical camp will run throughout the weekend, offering general and specialist consultations, laboratory services and pharmacy support to participants and the local community.
Football competition will feature a strong field, including Ivonda Kings United, Red Eagles FC, Matungu Black Stars, Nyota FC and Shibale United in the men’s category, while the women’s contest will see teams such as Vihiga Leeds, Kakamega All-Starlets, Kabras Queens and Tongaren Starlets battle for honours.
The Western Region leg promises a thrilling chapter in the Betika BingwaFest calendar.