Wanyama, among State Commendation recipients
Celebrated Kenya Sevens and KCB RFC skipper Andrew Amonde has finally caught the eye of the Heroes Committee and landed the Head of State Commendation (HSC) alongside other sports personalities.
Amonde, a long-serving captain to the national Sevens team, headlines a list, which also entails current Harambee Stars captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Amonde, a living legend of the game, led Kenya Sevens to victory in the Singapore leg of World Rugby Sevens Series three years ago, a feat that remains the country’s sole in the global circuit rugby’s shorter version. He’s also a multiple winner of the local Kenya Cup.
Wanyama on the other hand became the first Kenyan to break into the coveted English Premier League when he joined Southampton from Celtic before moving to Spurs with which he reached the UEFA Champions League final with and finished fourth in the league last season.
Locally, he led the national team Harambee Stars to just their fifth Africa Cup of Nations, ending a 15-year wait.
The duo is part of an official Gazzete notice published on Friday containing multiple sporting icons.
Also on the list are coaching instructor and talent spotter John Bob Oyugi. Oyugi, a Kenyan legend and Gor Mahia great, is the sole exporter of youthful football talent from impoverished Kenyan scene to American Universities through a scholarship programme.
Revered tennis coach Rosemary Achieng has won the hearts of many by orchestrating Kenya’s charge towards the second tier of Davies Cup.
Kenya last appeared in such lofty company back in the eighties but thanks to Achieng’s endeavors the national team could be back in the big time if they trounce Indonesia in a play-off set for early next year.
Athletics Kenya are yet to confirm if women 400m runner Mary Moraa is the recipient of a similar commendation after her name appeared on the list.
