Singer Cheryl Tweedy of Girls Aloud with footballer boyfriend Ashley Cole attend Lillies Bordello. Photo/FILE
In Summary
The blonde beauty - who was part of
the band Girls Aloud with Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Sarah Harding and
Nicola Roberts - is confident marriage is also on the cards
By BANG SHOWBIZ
The 31- year-old singer has been open about how
much she's itching to have a tot with Justin Scott - her boyfriend of
ten years - but says they're both now ready for a family.
She
said: "We're both really broody. Friends laugh at us and say we're the
best babysitters, which we are. I really don't think it's going to be
long now."
The blonde beauty - who was part of the band
Girls Aloud with Nadine Coyle, Cheryl Cole, Sarah Harding and Nicola
Roberts - is confident marriage is also on the cards, but she's not keen
on a big, white, wedding.
She explained to Hello!
Magazine: "I always sort of saw it happening after Girls Aloud finished
[earlier this year]. I didn't want getting married to get lost in
everything else. Justin knew that and would never have asked me when he
knew it wasn't the right time."
"But he does really
want to get married at some point and it will happen. I've never been
one of those girls who wanted a big extravagant wedding, though, so I
think I'll be more, 'Can we just do this really quickly please and
really simply?'".
The flier for the 47th special edition of Blankets and Wine.
Photo/COURTESY
In Summary
The 47th Edition of Blankets and Wine will take place on Saturday at the Carnivore grounds.
This special edition is in honour of the #Westgate victims.
By SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT
The 47th Edition of Blankets and Wine will take place on Saturday at the Carnivore grounds.
This special edition is in honour of the #Westgate victims.
Join
Yellow Light Machine, Sarabi, Aaron Rimbui, Chris Adwar and The
villagers Band, Atemi Oyungu and Sauti Sol at the Carnivore Gardens on
October 6th from 1pm to 7pm as they pay tribute to friends, families and
loved ones who were affected by the September 21st attack on Westgate
Mall.
Tickets are now available for
Ksh. 1,500 on www.ticketsasa.com and select Dormans outlets while
tickets at the gate will be sold at Ksh. 2,000.
Children between 5-12 years pay Ksh. 500 and free for children under the age of 5.
Proceeds from this concert will be donated to the Kenya Red Cross in support of victims of the tragedy.
The reality TV star - who already
has two children, Junior, eight, and Princess Tiaamii, six, with ex-wife
Katie Price - can't wait for the new arrival and is already planning
the birth.
By BANG SHOWBIZ
The 'Mysterious Girl' singer is deliberating
being a stay-at-home dad after his girlfriend Emily MacDonagh gives
birth to their first baby together early next year, so she can continue
to become a doctor.
A source told Closer magazine:
"Pete's made it clear Emily and the baby are his priority. He wants
Emily to fulfil her dreams of becoming a doctor and has been saying he's
happy about being a stay-at-home dad. He's even joked at how good he is
at changing the nappies and burping.
CAREER ALWAYS HECTIC
"Pete's
career has always been hectic. He's been open about having time out
from showbiz to be a stay-at-home dad for a year, if Emily wants to
complete her medical training on a placement.
The
reality TV star - who already has two children, Junior, eight, and
Princess Tiaamii, six, with ex-wife Katie Price - can't wait for the new
arrival and is already planning the birth.
The source
added: "He's always saying he has to punch himself about having Emily.
She's calm and is planning a natural birth. Pete can't wait to cut the
cord. He keeps saying he feels like the baby is a gift from his brother
Andrew, who passed away from kidney cancer last year. It's a very
emotional time for him."
Oscar Award-winning actor Daniel Day Lewis.
Photo/COURTESY
In Summary
Daniel Day Lewis is wanted for the role of James Bond.
"Daniel Day-Lewis actually resembles the Bond that Fleming describes," says author of the newest Bond book, William Boyd.
He mused: "The current Bond is fantastically interesting even though the current films are half a century on than the novels.
By SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT
Daniel Day Lewis is wanted for the role of James Bond.
The
Oscar-winning actor is being eyed by author William Boyd, who claims he
would be perfect to play the MI6 agent in a film adaption of his new
Bond novel, 'Solo', which he claims is written in the style of original
007 author Ian Fleming.
He
told The Independent newspaper: "If there was going to be an actor to
play my James Bond, I'd choose another actor who's been in a film of
mine and who is also called Daniel.
"Daniel Day-Lewis actually resembles the Bond that Fleming describes.
He
was a tall, lean, rangy, very dark-haired, good-looking man. There's a
sense that image is what he saw his Bond looking like."
Boyd
also believes modern Bond films - which currently stars Daniel Craig -
are moving "further away" from the characters depicted in Fleming's
novel.
He mused: "The current Bond is fantastically interesting even though the current films are half a century on than the novels.
The link gets fainter and fainter. The Bond films are all contemporary."
'Solo'
- which was released on Wednesday (25.09.13) - is published by Jonathan
Cape, Fleming's original publisher and comes 60 years since 'Casino
Royale' was first released.
A few models of agency Strut It Afrika.
Photo/TWIX PHOTOGRAPHY
In Summary
We attended Strut It Afrika’s Silver Preview Cocktail (yes, it’s a mouthful).
The models arrived in a limousine as long as their endless legs.
A normal ticket for the entire week is 5000 bob.
By SHOWBIZ CORRESPONDENT
We attended Strut It Afrika’s
Silver Preview Cocktail (yes, it’s a mouthful) at the IMAX lounge and
were pleasantly surprised by what we saw.
Like
most Kenyan events, it started late, but when it finally did, the
models rocked up the red carpet out of a limousine as long as their
endless legs.
After they posed for the cameras, guests were treated to bitings and performances by dancers and the musician Stan.
We spotted the gorgeous current Miss UON and Eric Thimba (of the Matatizo video by Just A Band).
There were not a whole lot of people in attendance - perhaps because of ticket prices?
A normal ticket for the entire week is 5000 bob.
VIP tickets are going for a whopping 20,000 shillings. That's Kenyan shillings, not Ugandan.
Since they were lated, we were hurried into the cinema - yes, the fashion show was IN the cinema - about an hour late.
But
when the show started, the clothes were beautiful. Usually I find
fashion shows uninispiring and unrealistic - seeing as I would never
wear whatever it is the models usually have on - but this fashion show
was different.
The clothes were very trendy and very wearable. It was a welcome change.
And, we got to see a free movie after. :)
SIA
Fashion Week will be running all of this week with international models
flying in for the grand finale from Zambia and Ethiopia, among others.
Clooney and Bullock have known each for some 20 years and share a circle of friends
Bullock divorced motorcycle builder and "Monster Garage" television series host Jesse James in 2010 after five years of marriage
She proceeded with plans hatched during her marriage to adopt a baby boy, Louis Bardo Bullock, the same year
By AFP
George Clooney and the guys on set of "Gravity"
were positive male role models for single mother Sandra Bullock's young
son Louis, whom she called a "boy's boy" on Monday.
"My son thinks he's a very cool dude," Bullock said in a rare candid moment about her personal life.
"He's
a dude, my son needs to be around a man, so if there's a choice between
me, George and Alfonso (Cuaron) and these guys, my son will leave and
go be with George and the guys. He's a boy's boy, so he has to talk to
the men."
Giggling as she shared an anecdote about the
film shoot, she added: "Louis came to me and said, 'Where's George and
Rande (Gerber).' And I go, 'I don't know.' And he goes, 'I need them.'
And I'm like, 'I don't know where they are.' And he was like, 'I need
them.'"
"So we went and found them and they had 'man
time' and I sort of stood off to the side and waited for him to finish
and then I was allowed to take him back."
Clooney and Bullock have known each for some 20 years and share a circle of friends.
HAD NEVER CO-STARRED IN A FILM
But
the two talented actors had never co-starred in a film until Mexican
director Alfonso Cuaron put them in the roles of two astronauts flung
into deep space when a debris shower destroys their shuttle, in his 3-D
sci-fi thriller "Gravity."
The movie opened the Venice film festival last month and had its North American premiere at the Toronto film festival on Sunday.
Rumors spread of an off-screen romance, which both reportedly laughed off.
Clooney "is a good egg," commented Bullock.
Bullock
divorced motorcycle builder and "Monster Garage" television series host
Jesse James in 2010 after five years of marriage.
She proceeded with plans hatched during her marriage to adopt a baby boy, Louis Bardo Bullock, the same year.
Over half of the respondents gave continuing on their set career path as
the reason, while an impressive 75 percent admitted they would like to
return to work because they enjoyed their jobs. FILE
In Summary
Getting a job after taking time off
to have children has proven to be hard with more new mothers opting to
retrain before re-entering the job market.
Over half of the
respondents said they would like to continue on their set career path,
while an impressive 75 percent admit that they would like to return to
work because they enjoyed their jobs.
By Lisa
Women returning to employment after maternity leave view job flexibility as the greatest barrier to their career advancement.
This is according to an annual survey by workingmums.co.ke, a job website that seeks to connect working mothers with employers.
According
to the survey, in which over 2,600 women took part, flexibility of
working hours was the most important factor in their return to work,
followed closely by the availability of part time hours which 63 percent
of the respondents termed is as very important.
Job
flexibility was so important to the new mothers that more than half of
the respondents admitted they would not mind earning less than what they
were earning before they had children as long as they could work
flexible hours.
The respondents said flexible working hours contributed to career development.
RE-TRAINING Getting
a suitable job after taking time off to have children has proven to be
hard with more new mothers opting to retrain before re-entering the job
market.
According to the survey, 40 percent of the
respondents could not find suitable jobs after taking a break, with most
of them saying they were considering setting up their own business or
running a franchise.
Being a new mother is an exciting
experience and most new mothers would prefer to remain the primary care
giver to their children. However, in the reality of today’s economic
climate, some find that they cannot support the new addition to their
families and thus have to venture back into the job market.
WHY GO BACK According
to the survey, the biggest reason why new mothers go back to work, with
94 percent of the respondents attesting to it, is that they need money.
Money,
however, is not the only reason why new mothers are choosing to go back
to work; according to the respondents other emotional factors also play
a part.
Some of the respondents said that they would
like to return to their work places so as to boost their self-esteem,
others admitted to missing some adult company while 59 percent say they
just wanted to get out of the house.
Over half of the
respondents gave continuing on their set career path as the reason,
while an impressive 75 percent admitted they would like to return to
work because they enjoyed their jobs.
FAMILY FRIENDLY When
asked what factors made a company family-friendly, the women ranked
flexible working hours highest with the availability of part time jobs
within a company coming a close second.
Regular work
at home and the possibility of taking holidays on short notice to care
for sick children were also important to them.
The new
mothers stated guilt and worry about travel and logistics, including
getting good care givers, as their biggest issues while planning to
return to work.
Less than half of the respondents said
they thought working mums were portrayed negatively by the media, more
than half believed that employers discriminated against women in the
current economic climate.
Pregnant woman lying on an examination table, awaiting a consultation. Photo/FILE
In Summary
In ruling on the case of a British
woman identified only as C.D., advocate general Juliane Kokott decided
that "an intended mother who has a baby through a surrogacy arrangement
has the right to receive maternity leave provided for under EU law."
But
in a separate case also involving a request for maternity leave from an
intended mother, advocate general Nils Wahl took a different view.
He
said that a surrogate mother who had brought in the case could not
benefit from the rights of an adoptive mother because EU member states
had not yet harmonised the right to paid leave for adoptions.
By AFP
The European Court of Justice issued
contradictory opinions Thursday on a woman's right to maternity leave
should her baby be born to a surrogate mother -- one favouring paid
leave, the other not.
In ruling on the case of a
British woman identified only as C.D., advocate general Juliane Kokott
decided that "an intended mother who has a baby through a surrogacy
arrangement has the right to receive maternity leave provided for under
EU law."
European Union rules set in 1992 provide for paid leave -- now at 14 weeks -- but take only biological motherhood as the norm.
Kokott
said that as long as surrogacy was permitted in a country, a woman
assuming responsibility for a baby after its birth -- the intended
mother -- was entitled to maternity leave and whether or not she
breastfed the child.
Both the surrogate mother and the intended mother must be given at least two weeks of paid leave each, Kokott said.
SHARED LEAVE DAYS
The
remaining 10 weeks of the EU's required 14 must be shared between the
two, taking into account the protection of "the woman who has recently
given birth and the child's best interests."
But in a
separate case also involving a request for maternity leave from an
intended mother, advocate general Nils Wahl took a different view.
The
ECJ was asked for its opinion by Ireland's Equality Tribunal after a
teacher known as Ms Z was refused paid leave of absence after the birth
of a child through a surrogacy arrangement.
She
complained that she had been subject to discrimination on grounds of
sex, family status and disability -- the last because she has no uterus
and cannot support a pregnancy.
But Wahl rejected the claim, saying "Ms Z has not been subject to any prohibited discrimination on grounds of sex."
He
said the differential treatment was based on the refusal by authorities
"to equate her situation with that of either a woman who has given
birth, or an adoptive mother."
He also added that she
could not benefit from the rights of an adoptive mother because EU
member states had not yet harmonised the right to paid leave for
adoptions.
The opinions by the advocate generals are
not binding on the court but it more often than not follows the advice
in its final rulings.
Austrian artist Alex Kiessling (L) draws his artwork, reproduced
simultaneously live in Breitscheidplatz in Berlin and at Trafalgar
Square in London by industrial robots. Photo/FILE
In Summary
Spectators in the German and British capitals could follow the artist in Vienna courtesy of giant screens
By AFP
An Austrian artist on Thursday drew three
pictures simultaneously in three European capitals thanks to two robots
copying his every movement in real time in Britain and Germany.
Alex
Kiessling worked in Vienna while a pair of orange industrial robots in
London's Trafalgar Square and Berlin's Breitscheidplatz drew exactly the
same picture of three human faces with the help of satellite
transmissions.
Spectators in the German and British
capitals could follow the artist in Vienna courtesy of giant screens
while livestreams kept audiences in Vienna up to date with events in
Berlin and London.
"The drawings done by the robots are
still a part of the original I create but they complement them and also
serve a different function," Kiessling said.
This handout picture taken by Lucerne Fstival Arknova 2013 on September
10, 2013 shows the world's first inflatable concert hall in the
disaster-hit north-eastern coast town of Matsushima in Miyagi
prefecture. Photo/AFP
In Summary
British sculptor Anish Kapoor and
Japanese architect Arata Isozaki created the unusual Ark Nova, a balloon
made of a coated polyester material which has been erected at a park in
the town of Matsushima.
By AFP
A giant purple structure believed to be the
world's first inflatable concert hall is to open on Japan's disaster-hit
north-eastern coast, promoters said Wednesday.
British
sculptor Anish Kapoor and Japanese architect Arata Isozaki created the
unusual Ark Nova, a balloon made of a coated polyester material which
has been erected at a park in the town of Matsushima.
The
structure, which organisers say is a world's first, measures about 18
metres high (60 feet) and 35 metres wide when fully inflated with room
for about 500 guests.
CAN BE EASILY DEFLATED
It can be easily deflated and travel around the region to host events that "help bring people together," a press statement said.
Wood from the area's damaged cedar trees will be used for seating.
The
first event will run from Friday through October 14, including
performances by the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra and traditional
Japanese kabuki theatre.
The event was arranged with the help of Switzerland's Lucerne Festival, a prominent gathering of world-renowned musicians.
Japan's
northeast coast was ravaged by a magnitude 9.0-earthquake and monster
tsunami in March 2011, killing nearly 19,000 people and sparking a
crisis at the Fukushima nuclear plant, the worst atomic accident in a
generation.
The tourist town of Matsushima itself was left largely unscathed because of its protected bay.
PHOTO | LARRY NGALA Lady winner Jeniffer Ngure during the fourth leg of
the Barclays Golf Circuit at the Machakos Golf Club on September 7,
2013.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
The overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully-paid for golfing tour on the expansive golf courses of South Africa
The
top 20 will get slots to play at next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf
Pro Am. From Machakos, the circuit moves to Nyanza Golf Club on
September 28
By Larry Ngala
Handicap 28 golfer Dionedes Thiuri beat a field
of 135 at the par 72 Machakos Golf Club at the weekend to clinch the
overall title during the fourth leg of the Barclays Bank Golf Circuit.
Thiuri,
a member of both Machakos and Kenya Railway Golf Clubs, needed only
three pars and a two-club for an impressive 44 points made up of
identical 22 points in each nine. “I am very happy about this victory,
my second in my golfing career,” he said.
“The course
was in a great condition today,’’ said the veteran golfer, who will now
lead a team of nine golfers including three from Kenya Air Force, to the
grand finale at Karen Country Club on February 22 next year.
Former
Machakos captain, Fred Kilonzi, playing off handicap 10, finished
second on 39 points. Wambua Mila on 38 points beat Collins Kaloki and
James Ndunda on countback to finish third. Before Thiuri arrived with
his 44 points, Machakos lady captain, Jeniffer Ngure, playing off
handicap 18, had earlier on posted 41 points to take a half-way lead and
was eventually declared the lady winner. Veronica Nduva finished a
distant second in the ladies section on 32.
MEDIA TITLE
Muthaiga’s
Anderson Matheka was the top guest on 35, winning ahead of Zupporah Aza
on 32. Barclays Bank Director of Consumer Banking, Zahid Mustapha, took
the staff prize with a score of 33 points while Larry Ngala took the
Media Title with 31 points.
“Personally, I have been
impressed by the hospitality at Machakos and I am satisfied that we made
the right choice to select Machakos as one of the venues for this
year’s Barclays Golf Circuit,” said Mustafa.
The
overall winner during the grand finale will land a fully-paid for
golfing tour on the expansive golf courses of South Africa, while the
top 20 will get slots to play at next year’s Barclays Kenya Open Golf
Pro Am. From Machakos, the circuit moves to Nyanza Golf Club on
September 28.
Full team from Machakos Golf Club and
Kenya Air Force: Dionedes Thiuri, Jennifer Ngure, Fred Kilonzi, Wambua
Mila, Collins Kaloki, James Ndunda, Victor Mutwii, S. Wafula, Ambrose
Gatuma and Benny Orwako.
Nyali - Communication
Commission of Kenya (CCK) Golf Day: Overall winner - Symon Wambugu 40
(20, 20); Men - Dinesh Prakash 38, cb Ben Mureithi (20, 18), Dominic
Makau 37, G.M. Njuguna 36, Ladies - Diana Munyao 37, cb Sheila Rust 37,
Guest - B. Sawani 37, Staff - D. Ooko 30, Senior - Paul Macharia 29,
Junior - Daniel Nduva 31.
ICS Golf Day: Overall winner
- Allan Mola 40, Men - Joseph Oluoch Joseph Oluoch 38, Arafat Vaiani
37, cb Reaz Alibhai 37, Ladies - Sheila Rust 39, Wanjiru Ikua 37.
Nakuru
- James Lorum Golf Day: Overall Winner Steve D’Souza 38, Pancras Kuria
37 cb Charles Angwenyi, Ladies - Esther Karuga 34, Susan Matharu 31,
Gross - Njuguna Njoka 27. Piga Mingi Lincoln Miano 12.
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE Kenya Golf Union chairman Francis Okwara
tees off to officially launch the Barclays Bank Golf Series on July 24,
2013 at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Okwara said the team will be training under Muthaiga Golf Club resident professional Anil Shah
The KGU boss said the two events were important and the team needs to prepare early enough
By Larry Ngala
The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) on Tuesday named a
squad of 13 who’ll start immediate preparatory training for two
international assignments next month.
Union chairman
Francis Okwara said the squad of eight senior players selected from the
Golfer Of The Year ranking, and five juniors from the Junior Golf
Foundation Order of Merit, will start training on Monday next week at
Windsor Golf Hotel and Country, Kenya Railway Golf Club and the Great
Rift Valley Golf Resort venues.
The eight seniors are
current GOTY leader, John Karichu, of Limuru, Tony Omuli (Golf Park),
Justus Madoya (Great Rift Valley), Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab), William
Odera (Kericho), Alfred Nandwa (Njoro), Nelson Simwa (Vet Lab), and
Steve Karanja (Kiambu).
The juniors
include Daniel Nduva, Tahir Mohamed, Mathew Wahome, and Adel Balala (all
from Nyali Golf and Country Club, Mombasa, and Kush Mediratta (Sigona).
Okwara
said the team will be training under Muthaiga Golf Club resident
professional Anil Shah. Out of the 13, the union will pick three seniors
and one junior to form the team that will represent the country during
this year’s All Africa Team Championship to be held in Swaziland from
October 18 to 24.
Afterwards, five
seniors and four juniors will be selected to participate in the East
Africa Challenge Cup in Kenya from October 28 to November 1 at the Great
Rift Valley Golf Resort.
The KGU
boss said the two events were important and the team needs to prepare
early enough. Kenya won the East Africa Challenge Cup when it was held
at Bujumbura Golf Club Burundi. Reports indicate that Ethiopia had
requested to be allowed to participate in the event which brings
together the five East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania,
Rwanda and Burundi.
Meanwhile, at
Karen Country Club, David Njuguna emerged the overall winner of the
Triad Corporate Golf Tournament. Njuguna carded an impressive 41 points
to beat a field of 157 players where leading lady golfer at Karen, Joyce
Van Tongeren, beat Julius Mutethia on countback with 40 points to
finish second. Winning the Friday event was Mumias Sugar CEO Peter
Kebati also with an impressive score of 42 points.
Nyanza's Noah Winja, qualifier winner at the Pan Africa Life Golf Series
Grand Finale receives an all expenses paid ticket to the Sanlam Cancer
Challenge, 21-22 October 2013, Sun City Golf Resort from Ezekiel Owuor,
the National Sales Manager, Pan Africa Life. NATION PHOTO.
In Summary
The two will now represent Kenya at the Sanlam Cancer Challenge at the Sun City Golf Resort from October 21 to 22.
Karano,
a handicap-seven golfer and a former Kenya International star was on
top form carding four over par gross total for 39-points.
By Larry Ngala
Former ladies amateur champion Mary Karano from
Vet Lab and Nyanza’s Noah Winja emerged the winners of the Pan Africa
Life Golf Series Grand Finale at Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday.
The
two will now represent Kenya at the Sanlam Cancer Challenge at the Sun
City Golf Resort from October 21 to 22, where they will join other
golfers in raising funds for the fight against cancer.
Karano,
a handicap-seven golfer and a former Kenya International star was on
top form carding four over par gross total for 39-points.
She
picked six pars on each nine, a birdie on the par-four- 17th and five
bogeys to secure the corporate prize and an all expenses paid ticket for
Karano.
“I thank Pan Africa Life for inviting me to
participate at their Grand Finale, I promise to represent them well at
the Sanlam Cancer Challenge in Sun City.”
Nyanza’s Noah
Winja, a handicap-eight golfer, posted a score 38 points to claim his
place on the all expenses paid trip to the Sanlam Cancer Challenge.
He had qualified for the Grand Finale from Nyanza Club and said he was pleased with his round.
“I
have not been playing much golf, my campaign efforts in the Siaya
County gubernatorial race were very taxing on time,” Winja said.
“Luckily, I was a member of Muthaiga before moving to Nyanza and memories of this course served me well.”
He
did not play well in the opening nine though nine pars at the back nine
did the magic. Congratulating the winners, Tom Gitogo, the Pan Africa
Life CEO, said that Mary Karano and Noah Winja would join other golfers
from South Africa at the Sanlam Cancer Challenge in October.
“I
trust that Karano and Winja will be good ambassadors for Pan Africa
Life, a member of the Sanlam Group, and that they will be even better
ambassadors for Kenya.”
Ezekiel Owuor, the Pan Africa
Life National Sales Manager produced a round of his life, an impressive
41 points to claim the staff prize.
Patrick Mbuthia was
the qualifier runner up with 36 points and Krishan Sarna was the third
qualifier with 33 points. Phil Kinisu runner up in the corporate
category and in third was Muchau Githiaka.
Taipei, Thailand
In
Taipei, Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant battled to a one-shot victory in
the Yeangder Tournament Players’ Championship Sunday, securing an
unprecedented 16th Asian Tour title in the process.
Thaworn,
whose best result before this week was tied 28th in May, achieved a
four-under-par 68 for a 13-under-par total of 275 in the $500,000 event.
Overnight
leader Chan Kim of the United States led for most of the round, but
stumbled in the closing stretch when he made three straight bogeys from
the 15th hole.
He ended second after shooting a 70 at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club.
Angelo
Que of the Philippines, a three-times Asian Tour winner, ended the
event with a 66, the day’s best round, to finish third on 279.
“I’m
very proud because I can still win at the age of 46. I was really
struggling with my irons but I chipped and putted so well.
I honestly didn’t think that I could win,” said Thaworn, in comments supplied by the organisers.
He
had traded two birdies and one bogey after four holes to trail Kim by
three shots, but recovered after a one-hour suspension due to rain with a
pair of birdies on five and six. Thaworn added another birdie on 13 to secure victory as Kim faded.
“Kim
is such a powerful golfer and he had a lot of advantage on the par
fives. I had to stay patient. I didn’t think I could have won and I
would have been satisfied with second place.
But he started to drop shots and all of a sudden I was in the lead and I won,” said Thaworn.
Kim
was upset at his late fade after starting strongly. He eagled the first
hole from three feet and added birdies on holes three, four and 10.
“I got a little greedy. I tried to get my ball out further so I could get a shorter club into the green,” the 23-year-old said.
“I
think that’s something which I have to learn, because all I had to do
today was actually play a bit smarter. I will use this experience in my
future tournaments.” (Aditional reporting by AFP)
National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK) chairman Kipchoge Keino has
called on the Kenya Golf Union to seriously start searching for talent
in all the counties in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. He was
speaking at Eldoret Golf Club during the fifth leg of Nation Golf
Classic. PHOTO|FILE.
NATION
In Summary
Keino, who is also the chairman of
the National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK), said Kenya was capable of
producing golfers of international standard just like in other sports
like athletics and rugby.
The legendary Keino was among a group
of retired and current athletes who were invited as special guests of
the Nation Media Group during the fifth leg of the Nation Classic at
Eldoret Golf Club.
Former Boston marathon champion Moses Tanui,
world steeple chase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, ladies world marathon
champion Edna Kiplagat were the other athletes who graced the prize
giving ceremony of the event which attracted a field of 104 golfers.
By Larry Ngala
One of the most respected sports personalities
in the country, Kipchoge Keino, over the weekend called on the Kenya
Golf Union to seriously start searching for talent in all the counties
in preparation for the 2016 Olympics.
Keino, who is
also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOCK), said
Kenya was capable of producing golfers of international standard just
like in other sports like athletics and rugby.
“There is a lot of talent out there in the counties waiting to be tapped’’ he said.
The
legendary Keino, who was among a group of retired and current athletes
who were invited as special guests of the Nation Media Group during the
fifth leg of the Nation Classic at Eldoret Golf Club, said he would like
to see Kenya being represented in the next Olympic now that the game of
golf had been included at the Games.
“I personal campaigned for golf to be included in the Olympics and I will be happy to see Kenya sending a team."
Former
Boston marathon champion Moses Tanui, world steeple chase champion
Ezekiel Kemboi, ladies world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat were the
other athletes who graced the prize giving ceremony of the event which
attracted a field of 104 golfers.
Kemboi said he was considering picking up the game of golf once he was through with athletics.
“I
have three more years to run before I call it a day and when that time
comes, I will definitely consider golf,’’ said Kemboi. Kiplagat thanked
the Nation for recognising Kenyan athletes.
“I feel
very honoured to be given this opportunity to attend such an important
golf event. I know very little about golf but going by this weekend’s
event, golf I believe It can grow to the same level like other sports,’’
she said.
Tanui who started playing golf a year ago thanked the Nation Media Group for honouring runners and recognising Kenyan runners.
“
This will definitely encourage more athletes to start playing golf
which is a sport that can be played even at old age’’ said Tanui.
Speaking
also during the same function, Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandagor
said the county had set aside over one billion shillings to improve the
Kip Keino stadium in Eldoret.
“As a county, we are embarrassed that a stadium that is named after a legend was in such a poor condition.
The county as therefore committed funds to make sure that it is brought into an international standard’’.
Mandagor said the county was looking at golf as a brand that can be used to attract tourists to Uasin Gishu.
PHOTO | AFP Kenya's Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (front) runs ahead of
Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich (left) and Kenya's Abel Kirui during the
athletics event men's marathon at the London 2012 Olympic Games on
August 12, 2012 in London.
AFP
In Summary
World’s second fastest marathon runner leads a pack of compatriots as they look to break the world record
By Ayumba Ayodi
This year’s Berlin Marathon scheduled for Sunday
has perhaps attracted one of the finest fields in recent times, drawing
some of the fastest runners in the world.
The Berlin course has produced eight world records with five in the men’s event.
It’s
now left to be known whether a new holder will emerge with the current
world record holder Patrick Makau, who set a blistering two hours, three
minutes and 38 seconds in 2011, having withdrawn with a knee injury.
The
other long distance runners to have chalked world records at the course
are Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie, 2:03:59 in 2008 and 2:04:26 in 2007;
Kenya’s Paul Tergat 2:04:55 in 2003 and Brazilian Ronaldo de Costa
2:06:05 in 1998.
The course has also seen some of the
finest female distance runners doing their bit with world records
falling. They are Hapanse Naoko Takahashi 2:19:46 in 2001, Kenya’s Tegla
Lorupe 2:20:43 in 1999 and Christa Vahlensieck 2:34:48 in 1977.
RECORD BROKEN THRICE
However,
the women’s record has been broken thrice since Takahashi’s exploits in
2001 with Kenya’s Catherine Ndereba bettering it with a time of 2:18:47
in 2001 in Chicago. The reigning world records holder Paula Radcliffe
from Britain would break the record twice, first with a time of 2:17:18
in Chicago in 2003 and 2:15:25 at London.
With Makau
out, the world’s second fastest man ever Wilson Kipsang with a time of
2:03:42 from 2012 Frankfurt and bronze medal from 2012 London Olympics
(2:09:37), has an interesting battle at hand.
Fresh
from winning the 2013 New York Half Marathon (1:01:02), the 31-year-old,
who won the 2012 London (2:04:44) said he will attempt to bring down
Makau’s record after his attempt in Frankfurt last year shied off by
five seconds.
“I believe am up for the big chase as I
have trained for long and believe I am now ripe. My big hope is to
better my best and break the hurdle that stands in between me and the
record. With my team mates I believe we will make it.
“A
number of them raced and did well last year. We will do our best as
Kenyans pray for us,” said Kipsang, who has been training in Iten for
the last month.
Another big contender is Tokyo Marathon
champion Dennis Kimeto who bagged silver in Berlin last year after a
back-to-back battle with Geoffrey Mutai, who won in personal best
2.04.16. Geoffrey Kipsang was placed third also in personal best
2.06.12.
ELIUD KIPCHOGE
Besides
Kimetto and Geoffrey Kipsang, another athlete to watch is Eliud
Kipchoge, who staged a great marathon debut, winning in Hamburg in
2:05:30 on April 21 this year. Kipchoge is the 2003 world 5,000m
champion and an Olympic bronze in 2004 and silver in 2008.
Also
in the field is the 21-year-old Geoffrey Kiptanui, who won junior title
at the 2011 World Cross Country before claiming the Berlin Half
Marathon few weeks later on his debut over the distance.
Florence
Kiplagat, winner of the 2011 title in 2:19:42, will be looking to
reclaim her title as she confronts the 2008 champion and German marathon
record-holder Irina Mikitenko. The Germany won the 2008 event in 2:19:19 the seventh fastest time ever.
An
interesting challenge will also come from Kenyans, the 2011 World
bronze medallist Sharon Cherop (2:22:39), who is also the 2012 Boston
Marathon champion, Georgina Rono (2:21:39) and newcomer Helah Kiprop.
Others are Desiree Davila (USA, 2:22:38), Isabellah Andersson (Sweden,
2:23:41) and Remi Nakazato (2:24:28) and Eri Hayakawa (2:26:17) (both of
Japan).
The race counts for the World Marathon Majors
where Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede top on the men’s leaderboard with 65
points followed by Stephen Kiprotich (50 Lelisa Desisa (40). and Wilson Kipsang (36). Sharon Jerop is placed fourth in the women’s standings with 35 points.
PHOTO | DPA | MAURIZIO GAMBARIN From L to R: Germany's Andre
Pollmaecher, Kenya's Geoffrey Kipsang, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya's
Wilson Kipsang and Brazil's Marilson Gomes dos Santos pose for a photo
in front ot Berin's landmark Brandenburg Gate on September 27, 2013.
Kenya's Wilson Kipsang has said he is out to break the two-year-old
world record at the Berlin marathon on September 29, 2013.
AFP
In Summary
Four men's world records have been set in Berlin in the last decade
A total of eight marathon world records have been set in Berlin
By AFP
BERLIN
Kenya's Wilson Kipsang has said he is out to break the two-year-old world record at the Berlin marathon on Sunday.
The
31-year-old Kipsang is aiming to better compatriot Patrick Makau's
record of 2hrs 3mins 38 seconds set in Berlin in 2011 on the notoriously
fast course over 42.195 kilometres (26.2mi) through Germany's capital.
As
one of the world's top six marathons, the Berlin course is flat and has
a reputation amongst the elite runners of being "fast and forgiving",
according to America's Desiree Davila, who finished second at the 2011
Boston race.
A total of eight marathon world records
have been set in Berlin and, having finished within four seconds of
Makau's world record in Frankfurt two years ago, Kipsang has been
training to run under the 2:03.38 mark.
"From the start
of my training, I was focused on breaking the world record," said
Kipsang, who won the 2012 London marathon in 2:04.40 and finished third
over the distance at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
"From my side, the training has been going well, I have run 2:03.32 in training and the time is beatable."
STRONG FIELD
Kipsang
has said he wants a split time of 61.44 mins at the halfway point and
is in a strong field of elite runners to help sustain a world-record
breaking pace, although Makau is missing with a knee injury.
Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie is the official starter having won the race four times from 2006 until 2009.
Four
men's world records have been set in Berlin in the last decade
including Kenyan Paul Tergat's 2:04.55 in 2003, and twice by
Gebrselassie of 2:04.26 in 2007 and then 2:03.59 in 2008, before Makau
shaved 21 seconds off two years ago.
In the main group
of Kipsang's rivals, Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, who won the Hamburg
marathon on his debut in April, has said he is looking to better his
personal best of 2:05.30.
"My main target is to run
under my personal best, but I am ready to go with the best and will keep
up," said the 28-year-old, who will be running only his second
marathon.
This is the ninth time a world
record has been set in Berlin and five men's world records have been set
here in the last decade alone
The women's race was won by Kenya's Florence Kiplagat, the 2011 winner in Berlin, in an unofficial time of 2hrs 21mins 13secs
By AFP
BERLIN
Kenya's
Wilson Kipsang admitted he was delighted to break the marathon world
record in Berlin on Sunday in a new official best time of 2hrs 3 mins
and 23 seconds.
Kispang, 31, shaved 15 seconds off the
previous world record set by compatriot Patrick Makau, who ran 2:03.38
over 42.195 kilometres (26.2miles) in the German capital two years ago.
Having said in the build up that he was running to break the world record in Berlin, Kipsang was true to his word.
"I
think in the last few kilometres I had the feeling it was on and I was
feeling strong," said Kipsang, who collected the winner's cheque of
40,000 euros (US$54,068) with a 50,000 euros bonus for the world record.
"My plan was to really push in the last few kilometres, I knew it would be a fight.
"I just wanted to make sure we had a good pace at the start and I knew the record was beatable.
"It was my first time racing here, it's a really nice course and a great city. I love it here!"
NINE RECORDS SET
Kenya's
Eliud Kipchoge, who won the Hamburg marathon in April on his debut over
the distance, finished second in a personal best time of 2:04.05 with
compatriot Geoffrey Kipsang third with 2:06.26.
This is
the ninth time a world record has been set in Berlin and five men's
world records have been set here in the last decade alone.
Makau was missing in the German capital having withdrawn a fortnight ago with a knee injury.
The
women's race was won by Kenya's Florence Kiplagat, the 2011 Berlin
winner, in an official time of 2hrs 21mins 13secs, six minutes off Paula
Radcliffe's world record set ten years ago in London.
Germany's Irina Mikitenko finished third to break the world masters record for the over 40s, in a time of 2:24.54.
Having
trained specifically to break the world record here, Kipsang, the
Olympic bronze medallist, broke away from the leading pack in the final
10 kilometres and ran his own race, chased by Kipchoge.
The
elite group had been on world record pace up until the 29km, but when
the tempo dropped, Kipsang took matters into his own hands and was three
seconds under the necessary pace in the final two kilometres.
Having
run a previous personal best in 2011 when he went within Makau's
previous world record in Frankfurt, Kipsang added the Berlin title to
his CV having won the London marathon in 2012.
PHOTO | FILE John Mwangangi competes at a past event.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Event coordinator Boniface Mutie
confirmed on Monday that Mwangangi and Ivuti are among over 100 elite
runners from different training camps coming for the 21km race
This
year’s event is sponsored by Peter Mulei Supermarkets, Airtel, Musyi
Fm, Hotpoint Appliances, Alpha Millers and Dasani Water
By Ayumba Ayodi
The 2012 World Half Marathon bronze medallist,
John Mwangangi, and 2007 Chicago Marathon champion, Patrick Ivuti, are
among the star attractions at this year’s Peter Mulei Machakos Road
Races set for Saturday in Machakos.
Mwangangi, who is
also the 2011 Africa Cross Country senior men gold medallist, and Ivuti,
the winner of the 2008 and 2009 Honolulu Marathon, will square it out
in the 21-km (Half Marathon) race.
Event coordinator
Boniface Mutie confirmed on Monday that Mwangangi and Ivuti, who are
some of the finest runners the region has produced, are among over 100
elite runners from different training camps coming for the 21km race
that will have men’s and women’s categories.
MAKE UP FOR LOSS
Also
in the race where Mwangangi lost to Jackson Limo last year is Nicholas
Kamacha, who finished fourth during the 2011 Amsterdam Marathon in
2:06:34.
Mutie said close 2000 participants had
registered for the road races that will also feature 10km and 3km family
fun races respectively. “There will also be the 10km corporate
challenge and teams are urged to continue registering,” said Mutie.
This
year’s event is sponsored by Peter Mulei Supermarkets, Airtel, Musyi
Fm, Hotpoint Appliances, Alpha Millers and Dasani Water.
Last year’s winner in the women’s Half Marathon was Agnes Katunge, who went on to win the 2012 Naghpur Half Marathon.
In
attendance will be Patrick Makau, who lost his Berlin Marathon record
of 2:03:38 to Wilson Kipsang on Sunday, three-time Boston Marathon
champion Cosmas Ndeti, and five-time World Cross Country champion John
Ngugi.
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO Gor Mahia’s Kevin Omondi (right) vies for the ball
with Chemelil Sugar defender Charles Odera during their Tusker Premier
League match on September 28, 2013 at Nyayo Stadium.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
In Summary
Gor Mahia’s chase for their first title in 18 years will not be a walk in the park
Bobby Williamson remains cautious as he warned his side against early celebrations
By Odindo Ayieko
Even though any team can still win this year’s
Kenyan Premier League title, it is Gor Mahia who have best chance, only
needing 11 points to end the long wait.
Just nine
points separate top seven teams, meaning that seventh-placed Ulinzi
Stars who have 35 points can go top of the table if they win their next
four matches and rest of the top teams tumble.
But Gor
Mahia’s chase for their first title in 18 years will not be a walk in
the park as they still have some tough matches ahead of them, including
their away fixture against former champions, Mathare United, on
Wednesday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Gor also have a date with Thika United, who denied them the title last season when they held K’Ogalo on the final day.
Gor
needed a win of any kind over Thika to take the title last season.
However, they found Thika a hard nut to crack as they were held to a 1-1
draw to allow Robert Matano’s Tusker to defend their title after the
Brewers’ 3-0 drubbing of City Stars at the Hope Centre.
FORMER CHAMPIONS
Gor
will play Sofapaka, who are also former champions, on October 23 in a
match that will ultimately decide their fate. At the same time, KCB will
be waiting to ambush them on November 2.
Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson is hoping to beat Mathare and enhance his chances of winning the title in his debut season.
“There
is no time to relax. This is a marathon; you only relax when you have
touched the tape,” Williamson told his players on Saturday after their
match against Chemelil Sugar.
“We must work as a team and win as a team. Discipline and team work are vital in our title chase,” he added.
The
Green Army top the table with 44 points, five points ahead of
hard-chasing Sofapaka. Thika are third on 39 points while KCB are fourth
on 35 points, same as AFC Leopards, with only goal difference
separating the two sides.
Gor Mahia will also be hoping that their closest rivals capitulate in their remaining fixtures to enhance their chances.
The
wasteful league leaders beat Chemelil 1-0 thanks to a Dan Sserunkuma
ninth-minute penalty awarded after Kevin Omondi had been brought down in
the box. Gor held onto to that until the final whistle.
CHAMPAGNE REMAINS ON ICE
But
coach Williamson remains cautious as he warned his side against early
celebrations. “We are not yet there. We cannot afford to take our eyes
off the ball,” he said.
“What the boys exhibited
against Chemelil was brilliant. They showed a good attitude and we have
to stay focused and treat every match with seriousness,” Williamson
said.
The weekend was, however, a cruel outing for most
title chasers Sofapaka, Thika United, KCB and Tusker as they all
choked, to Gor Mahia’s advantage.
Sofapaka were held to
a barren draw by Sony Sugar on Friday while defending champions Tusker
fell 3-2 to City Stars. Thika United drew with Bandari and KCB lost 0-1
to AFC Leopards on Sunday.
“Realistically, I do not see
Gor Mahia fumbling,” said former Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost”
Mulee on SuperSport's Simba Soccer show.
And as the
battle for top honours intensifies, Karuturi Sports and Kakamega
Homeboys look destined for the lower division if they don’t improve.
Karuturi
are bottom with 17 points while Homeboyz have 20. Sony Sugar are a slot
above with 26 and look to be cruising to safety but it will depend on
how they handle their next matches against Chemelil on October 23 and
Leopards on October 27.
