Kisumu Youngsters Hockey coach scoops big award after impressive run in February
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 13.03.26. | 17:56
During the impressive 2025/26 season, the team suffered a single loss, a 2–0 setback away to Greensharks enabling the team to have a strong run for the title
John Shivisi, the Kisumu Youngsters Hockey Club head coach, has been named the Sports Journalist Association of Kenya (SJAK) Coach of the Month for February, after steering his side to an outstanding and historic campaign in the Senior Hockey Super League.
Shivisi guided Kisumu Youngsters to a remarkable run, culminating in the team clinching the Senior Hockey Super League title and securing promotion to the Kenya Hockey Premier League for the 2026/27 season.
During the impressive 2025/26 season, the team suffered a single loss, a 2–0 setback away to Greensharks, enabling the team to have a strong run for the title.
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In a tightly contested vote, Shivisi edged out Charles Akonnor, the Gor Mahia FC head coach, who finished second after guiding his side to three crucial Kenyan Premier League victories in February against Mathare United (2-1), KCB (3-0) and APS Bomet (2-1).
Third place went to Kevin Wambua, for steering the Kenya national rugby sevens team, Shujaa, to a bronze medal finish at the HSBC Sevens Series 2 tournament.
“The lower leagues in many sports disciplines are not usually given the attention they deserve; however, with the SJAK Coach of the month award, we made a deliberate decision to monitor performances across disciplines and league tiers towards ensuring we recognize the most outstanding in any particular month, where this month’s award is testament to that,” noted SJAK president James Waindi.
Other coaches who were also nominated included Njoroge Kibugu’s coach, Neil Cheetham.
Kibugu made history by becoming the only Kenyan to make the cut at the 2026 Magical Kenya Open, ending a two-year drought of local players reaching the weekend rounds.
Kibugu finished the event tied for 61st place on six under par overall.
Coach Shivisi was all smiles during the presentation, noting that, “I never imagined that our performance was being monitored for consideration for any award. It is therefore such a pleasant surprise for the team and me, and we are committed to proving that we deserve to be promoted to the Super League. We are grateful to SJAK for having such a fair and broad recognition initiative; it’s just what Kenya’s sports industry deserves.”
