Nation Media beat SuperSport 3-2 to win the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Sports Day inter media five- aside football tournament at Galleria Arena on Saturday.
On their way to the finals, Nation trounced Standard 5-0 in one of the semi-final as SuperSport edged out CGTN 3-1 in another semis.
The event coincided with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) Day.
In the third place play offs, CGTN went on rampage to hammer Standard 5-0.
Nation FC captain Titus Mbithi scored his 17th goal of the tournament with Eric Musungu and fan- favourite Yasmin Khalid adding a goal each to lift the trophy presented by KCB Corporate Affairs Manager Peter Mwaura and former Kenya Football Federation (FKF) president Sam Nyamweya who graced the occasion.
Janet Ongendo and Veran Mukanda scored for Supersport.
Nation sweeped the individual awards at stake.
Nation’s Bol Peter was feted as the Most Valuable Player, Titus ‘Tito’ Mbithi was awarded the golden boot by being the scorer, Yasmin Khalid (best female) and Richard Wandera (best goalkeeper).
Nation pocketed Sh50,000 winner’s prize money, SuperSport walked away with Sh 30,000 while CGTN bagged Sh 20,000.
The event was sponsored by the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) which funded the prize money, SuperSport gave merchandise for the top teams and Bounty Limited manufacturers of Safari Energy Drink and Safari Water were the beverage sponsors.
Spanish top flight league LaLiga also came on board as SJAK’s partners.
Laliga delegate Alvaro Abreu said he looks forward to a better working relationship with the Association.
“This is more than we expected and really I’m happy that the event was successful. We hope to make it bigger and better. We thought it was just one of the many events we have hosted but it turned out to be competitive which was a good thing,” offered Alvaro.
Chief guest, former Football Kenya Federation(FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya called on sponsors to support SJAK objectives and future events.
“First of all I congratulate the new SJAK officials and more so for staging the event that has brought together various media houses. For more of these events to happen, they need sponsors to come in board and support their course. I’m happy to grace the occasion and see media houses battle for top honours,” said Nyamweya adding that he will see to it that accreditation of journalist to cover league matches was made easy.
Head of Business Strategy Bounty Limited Christopher Kandie said their entrance in the event was timely.
“We are a homegrown product and we are excited and happy to be apart of the this event which is also homegrown.We hope to make it bigger and better in the coming events and make it part of long term growth plan,”said Kandie.
SJAK president James Waindi expressed his satisfaction and excitment with the tournament saying it was a success.
He said that the event was a full house basing in the turnout and interest shown by the media houses in participation.
“The tournament afforded journalists an opportunity to bond, network and release their pressures of work.
Waindi pledged to make the next tournament bigger and better adding that it will be annual.
How Nation resisted stiff challenge to win SJAK Sports Day
