M. KisengeOmanyala runs away with the prestigious OGW award
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 17.12.21. | 12:05
The sprinter signed for Adidas last month and has achieved another milestone this December.
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinard Omanyala is over the moon after spicing up his fast-growing profile with the prestigious Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) award.
Omnayala who is slowly building up for the new season was among the hundreds of Kenyans who were conferred with various awards by President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
The sprinter, who grabbed the headlines early this month after he joined the National Police Service caught the eye of the President during the World Athletics Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour held in September at the Kasarani Stadium where he set the new African record.
Shortly after crossing the line at 9.77 seconds behind Trayvon Brommel of the United States of America, Omanyala had the rare chance of being ushered to the VVIP section where he met the President and other dignitaries.
9.77, current African record holder, 2nd fastest time this year, 8th fastest time ever! I am so glad that I got to end the season with such monumental milestones. This season has been a great one, every single time I have set my foot on the track, I have witnessed the power of my pic.twitter.com/tgwvV3D3Jv
— Ferdinand Omurwa OMANYALA (@Ferdiomanyala) September 19, 2021
The record helped unlock his long term dream after revered kit manufacturer Adidas signed him last month. Omanyala says he could not have wished for a better way to end what has been a successful year that saw him set a new national and African record, sign lucrative deals and debut at the Olympics.
“It feels good to get recognition and an award from the head of the state. I am always grateful to him (President Uhuru) for sparing time to come and watch me break the African record at Kasarani during this year’s edition of the Kip Keino Classic. Just when I thought I had wrapped the year with the Adidas deal, the award came in,” he said.
The 25-year old who has his eyes fixed on shattering the world record held by retired Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt says his preparations for the new season are aimed at hitting the lofty target.
Privileged to have held the Queen's baton today as it makes it's round across the commonwealth countries.
— Ferdinand Omurwa OMANYALA (@Ferdiomanyala) November 3, 2021
Looking forward to the 2022 commonwealth games in Birmingham.
📸: @ArigiObiero pic.twitter.com/Sjqalu2W2P
“If I broke the African record, I have what it takes to obliterate the one held by Bolt. I know one day, lady luck will visit me and I will make it,” he said.
Omanyala was joined by former Olympic Marathon champion Douglas Wakiihuri in the list of individuals who received the OGW award.
Other sportsmen who were conferred with awards are veteran boxer Nick Okoth and African 1500m champion Winny Chebet who received the Head of State Commendation (HSC). Veteran athletics coach Rose Tata Muya was granted the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS).
