Absa Kip Keino Classic: Sports Scribes Taken Through Paces Ahead Of The Global Showdown

_{Sports Journalists Association of Kenya President James Waindi (Left) and Secretary General Moses Wakhisi with Absa Asset Management Head Elizabeth Irungu (Centre) during a financial wellness session with sports journalists in Nairobi to mark the financial literacy month in April. PHOTO/ STAFFORD ONDEGO}

NAIROBI, Kenya- The fifth edition of Absa Kip Keino Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold, will be held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi this Saturday.

Some of the trailblazing locals set to light up the championship are Commonwealth Games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala, World 800m champion Mary Moraa and World 800m silver medalist Emmanuel Wanyonyi.

Internationally, Olympics 200m silver medalist Kenneth Bednarek of the USA and the 2016 Olympics javelin champion Thomas Rohler of Germany will be among the other star attractions.

During the contest, athletes will compete at Gold level events earning both prize money and world ranking points. The annual tour launched in 2020 is already taking shape as a world-class showdown.

To ensure the global showpiece is properly beamed across the world at Nyayo, title sponsors Absa Bank Kenya, who have sunk Sh40 million in this year’s edition, and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) have taken sports scribes through paces on how to cover the event without leaving any stone unturned.

The journalists have been imparted with valuable technical tips and skills to ensure the coverage is flawless.

In addition, Absa Bank Kenya has taken the scribes through a financial wellness session. This was done during the Financial Literacy Workshop held on Monday at a Nairobi hotel.

The seminar, in line with the new Absa Group’s tagline ‘Your Story Matters’, corresponds with the international financial literacy month of April.

The journalists have been sensitized against unnecessary expenditure as they seek to build their income pillar.

“Never ever make any investment decision in haste. You should always spread your portfolio across multiple asset classes, bonds, equities, offshore property and real estate among others facets. In every income that you receive, do your due diligence and shift money in line with the set personal goals, assets allocation and micro economic development,” advised Absa Bank Kenya’s Head of Asset Management Elizabeth Irungu.

Irungu called on the sports media practitioners in the country to strive living within their means as they purpose to protect their revenue streams.

The workshop comes at a time when the media industry in the country is struggling to meet its financial obligations amidst massive job cuts. The seminar also trained the journalists on investments, retirement, saving, spending, insurance, banking and the bank’s sports sponsorship initiatives.

Peter Waweru, the Head of Brand and Marketing at Absa Bank Kenya, and Mutwiri Mutuota, Sports Lead at CGTN were among the other speakers at the pre-championship media seminar alongside veteran sports photojournalist Stafford Ondego and veteran journalist James Mwamba.

_{Peter Waweru, the Head of Brand and Marketing at Absa Bank Kenya during the SJAK workshop in nairobi. PHOTO/ STAFFORD ONDEGO}

Mutuota underscored the need for a robust sports media welfare programme, adding: “We are living in an environment where constrained earnings and opportunities in the media is causing many journalists- especially those working in sports- to slide further down into poverty.”

“Many are struggling to deal with bereavement of close family members, health issues, redundancies and retirement planning. By establishing a welfare vehicle and benevolent fund, SJAK members can cushion themselves against the adverse effects of the prevailing harsh environment,” Mutuota added.

Ondego, on his part, said: “Journalists covering major events like the upcoming Absa Kip Keino Classic have an obligation to understand the dynamics of sports, the jargon and the regulations governing the game.”

Absa Bank Kenya investment in Kip Keino Classic World Continental Tour Gold

2024: Sh 40 million

2023: Sh50 million

2022: Sh23 million

2021: Sh 20 million

PHOTOS/ STAFFORD ONDEGO