Multi-Discipline Sports Event Unveiled In Eldoret, Set To Involve 2000 Athletes
NAIROBI, Kenya –Leading Kenyan bookmaker, Betika, has today announced the launch of BingwaFest, a groundbreaking multi-discipline sports extravaganza set to captivate audiences across the Rift Valley region from December 7th to 9th. The event, which will be held in partnership with the Uasin Gishu County Government and events and talent management company AfricaCentric Entertainment has close to 2000 athletes already registered.
The event has been endorsed by Uasin Gishu County CEC for Youth Affairs, Sports, ICT and Innovation, Lucy Ngendo Njoroge and will become a cornerstone of Kenya’s sporting calendar. BingwaFest 2023 will feature athletics, football, and basketball with a view of expanding and adding volleyball and rugby to its ranks come 2024.
According to the event’s championship director, Founder & CEO of Sports Connect Africa and Under 40 Leaders in Sport, Cynthia Mumbo, the basketball tournament will be played in the 3×3 format with a cash prize of up to Sh500,000. To promote local athletes local in the region, 2 of the 4 players on each team must be residents of counties in the Rift Valley region.
The football tournament will see the 11-aside format of the game will be played, with teams competing for a Sh1,000,000 prize. A player may only play for one team throughout the entire tournament and no alterations to the player roster will be allowed after accreditation has been done.
The same eligibility rules will apply to athletics – upon registration, athletes are not allowed to compete with another athlete’s bib number, failure to which will result in automatic disqualification from the competition.
For all disciplines, once a player takes part in a tournament, they automatically become ineligible to take part in any other BingwaFest qualifying tournament. Participating athletes are required to be between the ages of 19 and 28, which will be confirmed by way of National ID or Passport.
“Our partnership with BingwaFest is important to us not only because we are proud to be involved in uplifting Kenyan sports as a whole, but also because it enables young, talented Kenyans to make a living from their talent,” remarked Mutua Mutava, CFO and Deputy General Manager at Betika. “Our goal is to bring together athletes, sports enthusiasts, and the public to witness the brilliance of homegrown talent. It is more than sport, BingwaFest embodies the spirit of unity and pride in Kenyan sporting heritage.”
The multi-day event will kick off in Eldoret to pay homage to the region’s rich sporting legacy. Beyond the fields of play, attendees will experience a fusion of sports and entertainment with stellar performances from some of Kenya’s most renowned artists.
“Combining competitive sports with entertainment is the essence of BingwaFest and symbolises our commitment to uplifting Kenyan sports to foster a sense of unity and celebration,” added Marek Fuchs, AfricaCentric Entertainment co-founder and CEO.
