Covering sports in Kenya has grown tremendously in the last few years and every journalist is giving their best. You never really consider yourself the best because when you look at what others are doing they you feel like probably they are the best. Gilbert Wandera- 2012 Kenyan sports journalist of the Year award winner
Gilbert Wandera was at it again when he bagged the coveted Print sports Journalist of the year award for the second time running in a gala event held at the Pan Afric Hotel on December 11.
The event held every year has a panel of judges selected by the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) to monitor the work of sports journalists for a period of one year upon which they vote on who has emerged the best in a particular season. Apart from the print division others who are feted during the awards ceremony include television, radio and internet journalists.
Gilbert who works with the Standard group one of the leading media houses in Kenya was elated to win this award. “It was great winning the award and it greatly built my confidence.”
The win came to him as a surprise. “I did not expect to win the award and was pleasantly surprised to be among the five nominees and this was just enough for me.” Gilbert is the team advisor for Arise Newsletter.
I want to thank God for helping me win this prize. Personally I feel like it is a great achievement that I don’t deserve. It has made many people to respect me and appreciate my work more.
My encouragement to disciples is to always do their best no matter what. It does not matter whether people appreciate you or not.
“It took me many years to win the first award. I was always giving my best but did not seem to be appreciated until two years ago when things took a sudden turn and I won my first award. Then last year God helped me win the top one and again this year God maintained me at the top. We should never give up for at the right time God will bless us,” he said.
He concludes by stating that sports has grown tremendously in Kenya and it can only get better with the expected enactment of a sports bill that will increase funding to sports disciplines. It can only grow more professionally and will require more professional coverage.
Gilbert has been a disciple for 17 years and is married to Getrude Kioko with two daughters Gilliane Otieno – 8 years old and Gina Otieno – 3 years old.
The writer can be reached at info@ostinmoriz.com
