Olunga beats strong shortlist to Outstanding person of the year award

Harambee Stars and Al-Duhail of Qatar forward Michael Olunga was named the 2020 Sportsman of the year and subsequently Outstanding person of the year at the annual Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) awards held in Naivasha, Nakuru County. 

This year's award gala, which was preceded by a day-long sports symposium, lacked the pomp and colour associated with the awards as organisers reduced the number of categories awarded due to the inactivity that reigned supreme in 2020. 

Olunga beat reigning half-marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie and national boxing team captain Nick Okoth to the sportsman award in the 17th edition of the awards held outside of Nairobi and Mombasa Counties for the first time. 

Olunga had an impressive season with his former team Kashiwa Reysol where he bagged 28 goals in the Japanese League to become the season's top scorer and become the first African player to bag the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the league.

"I started the 2020 season on a high, scoring in the first two matches before the season was stopped. There was alot of uncertainty and training from home since we could not access the pitches was tough. All sports personalities had to be brave, stay focused and maintain a good mental attitude. Staying away from the sport for four months was not easy but I had immense support from family and friends and that kept us going," said Olunga in a recorded message as he could not attend the gala. 

He continued, "I thank God for the season I had in a difficult year and for the award of the sports personality of the year. I thank the playing unit and coaching stuff at Kashiwa Reysol and the fans in Japan as well as in Kenya for cheering me on in the season that was. It was a season like no other but amidst the uncertainty, we carried on." 

Winners

2020 Outstanding Sportsman of the Year- Michael Olunga

2020 Outstanding sportswoman of the Year- Peres Jepchirchir

Innovation Category- Dominic Ndingiti

Resilience sportsman living with Disability- Henry Wanyoike

Resilience personality (men)- Daniel Komen

2020 Outstanding woman living with a disability- Nancy Chelangat

2020 Outstanding Sportsman living with Disability -Onesmus Munyao

Community Hero-Shadrack Wambui

Hall of Fame-Ben Jipcho & Rose Naliaka