Inter Bank Games-Curtain c*mes down as KCB face off with Eco Bank in soccer finals
Kenya Institute of Bankers (KIB) football defending champions Equity stayed in contention of their unprecedented third consecutive title by booking a place in the finals at the Barclays Sports Club in Nairobi on Thursday evening.
Equity booked a date with the KPL side Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) in the finals slated for Saturday after trouncing Bank of Africa (BOA) 2-0.
Equity coached by grassroots soccer coach Zuberi Mohammed needed first half goals courtesy of a Fredrick Mwanzia freekick and the tournament’s top scorer Derrick Ayisi for the win.
Equity will face off with Eco Bank in the finals set for Saturday at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) in Ruaraka.
The chief guest will be the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Prof. Patrick Njoroge among other dignitaries.
In another semi-final match, KCB walloped Eco Bank 3-1 to reach the finals at the KSMS.
Rahma Chimako bagged a brace and Albert Nyakundi adding for the convincing win and a place in the finals to be played on Saturday at KSMS.
In darts, Central Bank of Kenya’s (CBK) Samson Lodhapa Esikwan led the banking regulator into beating KCB 3-0 at KSMS.
CBK Governor Njoroge who is the patron of the games is expected to try his luck again after finishing fifth last year and second in 2017.
The Kenya Institute of Bankers (KIB) chief executive Gilbert Alela who finished second last year behind Igathe starts as the favourite in absence of the former Nairobi County Government deputy Governor.
Last year, Igathe showed his grit and running pace to win the 800 meters athletics CEO’s race.
Igathe returned 3:26.09 to win ahead of second-placed Alela in 3:31.06 as Paramount Bank’s Ayaz Merali completed the last podium finish in 3:32.01.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Group Chief Executive Officer Joshua Oigara was fourth by clocking 3:35.01 ahead of the Central Bank Governor.
The Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of NIC Bank Group, John Gachora settled for sixth position by clocking 3:50.08 ahead of Jeremy Awori Managing Director, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Barclays Bank of Kenya in seventh place in 4:08.01.
The Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive and Chairman of the Kenya Bankers of Association (KBA) Lamin Manjang was eighth in a time of 4:35.01 as the Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (Post Bank) Managing Director Sylvester Obuon was ninth in 5:05.06.
