Gor Mahia’s McKinstry, Shujaa’s Wambua among nine feted with Coach of the Month awards

© Gor Mahia, Mwamba RFC

GENERAL Gor Mahia’s McKinstry, Shujaa’s Wambua among nine feted with Coach of the Month awards

Joel Omotto 16:31 - 13.01.2024

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry and Kenya Sevens’ Kevin Wambua are among nine tacticians who have been Coach of the Month awards for exemplary performances last year

Gor Mahia head coach Johnathan McKinstry was among nine tacticians who were awarded the Coach of the Month Awards by StarTimes in conjunction with the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya.

McKinstry was awarded coach of the month for June 2023 after leading K’Ogalo to a record-extending 20th FKF Premier League title. Gor finished top with 70 points, a point above Tusker whom they dethroned after previously winning the title.

The coaches were awarded for the period between April and December 2023 with Martin Abunde, head coach of Roll Ball national team, clinching the April award at a colorful ceremony held in Nairobi.

Boniface Nyamunyamu of Vihiga Queens was named May’s winner for guiding the side to the coveted 2022-23 FKF Women’s Premier League title. Vihiga finished top with 55 points, seven ahead of Gaspo.

Patrick Odhiambo of Kakamega Homeboyz won the July award after helping Abana Abeingo to the FKF Cup, their first-ever silverware.

Homeboyz defeated Tusker 1-0 in the final, bagging Ksh2 million in prize money and a ticket to represent Kenya at the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup, the first time they played continental football.

Meanwhile, Nyamira Girls hockey team coach Eliakim Obondo was handed the August award after helping his team rack up their first-ever East African Secondary School games title two months after leading his side to win the Kenya national title in 32 years.

Nyamira Girls won all the titles from Sub County, County, Regional, National, East Africa. They will represent Kenya at World School Games this year in Serbia.

Other winners were Kevin Wambua of Kenya Sevens, who claimed the September gong after leading Shujaa to Olympics qualification, Japhet Munala of KCB Women Volleyball team in October, Moses Andiwo of Equity Chess in November, and Evelyne Kedogo of Basketball 3 by 3 in December.

Munala led KCB to the 2023 Kenya Volleyball Federation Premier League title victory while Andiwo helped Equity Bank Chess Club win the 2023 Kenya National Chess Premier League crown.