BingwaFEST: A First-of-its-Kind Multisport Extravaganza Driving Kenya’s Sports Renaissance

In this week’s View From Africa piece Cynthia Mumbo, CEO of SportsConnect Africa highlights how BingwaFEST, the first-of-its-kind multisport tournament in East and Central Africa, has been making waves across the Kenyan sporting landscape since its launch in June 2024.

With a focus on four sports – 3×3 basketball, rugby, athletics (track), and football – across seven regions, culminating in a thrilling national final, the tournament has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of the region’s sporting scene.

One of BingwaFEST’s most noteworthy achievements is its unwavering commitment to gender equality. By offering equal prize money to both men’s and women’s teams in all four sports, the tournament has challenged traditional gender biases and provided a powerful platform for female athletes to showcase their talent and compete on a level playing field. This landmark decision has not only inspired young girls and women to pursue their sporting dreams but has also sent a strong message about the importance of gender inclusivity in sports.

Beyond the competitive aspect, BingwaFEST has transcended its role as a sporting spectacle to become a catalyst for community development. The tournament has fostered a sense of unity and pride among local communities, brought people together through a shared passion for sports, and created numerous employment opportunities, ranging from event management and logistics to hospitality and media services.

By investing in local infrastructure, such as improving basketball courts in every region visited, BingwaFEST has also laid the groundwork for sustainable sports development and community engagement. The tournament’s success serves as a blueprint for the future of sport in Kenya and the wider East and Central African region.

Key Statistics:

• Total Athlete Headcount: 21,000
• Total Prize Money (For Regions): Ksh120,000,000 (USD910,000)

Prize Money per Team (Men and Women):

• 3×3 Basketball:

• Winners: Ksh500,000 (USD3,800)
• 1st Runners Up: Ksh250,000 (USD1,900)
• 2nd Runners Up: Ksh100,000 (USD760)
• MVP: Ksh25,000 (USD190)
• Football:

• Winners: Ksh1,000,000 (USD7,600)
• 1st Runners Up: Ksh500,000 (USD3,800)
• 2nd Runners Up: Ksh250,000 (USD1,900)
• Top Scorer: Ksh50,000 (USD380)
• Rugby:

• Winners: Ksh1,000,000 (USD7,600)
• 1st Runners Up: Ksh500,000 (USD3,800)
• 2nd Runners Up: Ksh250,000 (USD1,900)
• Player of the Tournament: Ksh50,000 (USD380)
• Athletics (Track):

• Overall Winners (Men and Women): Ksh100,000 (USD760)
• Individual Event Winners: Ksh50,000 (USD380)

Beyond the Numbers: A Community Impact

BingwaFEST has not only fostered a sense of unity and pride among local communities but has also created numerous employment opportunities, ranging from event management and logistics to hospitality and media services. By investing in local infrastructure, such as improving basketball courts, the tournament has laid the groundwork for sustainable sports development and community engagement.

A Blueprint for the Future of Sport in Kenya

The success of BingwaFEST serves as a blueprint for the future of sport in Kenya and the wider East and Central African region. The tournament’s innovative approach to sports development, coupled with its emphasis on gender equality and community engagement, has demonstrated the immense potential for sports to drive positive change.

As Kenya continues to embrace sports as a vehicle for social and economic progress, initiatives like BingwaFEST will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s sporting landscape and inspiring future generations of athletes. By replicating this successful model in other regions of Kenya and beyond, the country can harness the power of sports to build stronger communities, create opportunities for young people, and inspire a new generation of sporting heroes.

More info: www.bingwafest.com