Ethiopian and African athletics legend Haile Gebreselassie and reigning world marathon champion Alphonce Simbu will be the chief guests at the 22nd edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards set for April 10 at Uhuru Gardens.
Making the revelation during the media launch on Wednesday, SOYA founder Paul Tergat said inviting the two continental and global figures aligns with a broader vision to expand the awards beyond Kenya.
“Under our 2025–2030 strategy, we see SOYA growing into the East African region and beyond, establishing a platform that reflects the potential and strength of African sport,” said Tergat.
Gebrselassie remains one of the most decorated distance runners in history, with two Olympic gold medals in the 10,000m, four world titles, and the distinction of becoming the first man to run a sub-2:04 marathon at the 2008 Berlin Marathon before retiring in 2015.
Simbu, from Tanzania, represents the new generation of African marathon excellence. He clinched the world marathon title in Tokyo last year, adding to his bronze medal from the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 and a silver medal from the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Their presence is expected to elevate this year’s gala, which celebrates outstanding sports personalities from grassroots to elite levels while promoting the growth of sport across the continent.
Tergat added that the event will increasingly reflect a Pan-African identity.
“Because African excellence deserves African platforms that can stand on the global stage, we hope to see the SOYA Gala embody this spirit,” he said.
The launch also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SOYA and Homeboyz Entertainment to establish a SOYA Academy—an initiative aimed at nurturing talent beyond recognition.
Tergat described the academy as a shift from award recognition to active sports development.