Africa: Congo’s Rama Wins Kandanda

Philip Onyango

13 June 2011

Nairobi — Congo United captain Ramadhan Salim Mbuggus has won the Kandanda Award for the month of May, becoming the third winner since its inception this year.

“Rama” was presented with a trophy, a shield and Sh15,000 in cash by Kenya Football Federation senior vice-chairman Twaha Mbarak on behalf of the Kandanda Awards committee in Mombasa on Sunday.

An initiative of leading Kenyan journalists, the award seeks to recognise the efforts of football players in the Kenyan Premier League to motivate them.

Committee member Mike Okinyi delivered the package during Congo United’s KPL match against Thika United at the Mbaraki Sports Club.

Harambee Stars team manager Edward Oduor had been earmarked to present the award but he failed to arrive on time.

Mbarak however not only added Sh5,000 to Rama’s Sh10,000 prize money but also gave the team Sh40,000 for defeating Thika United 3-0.

“I’m surprised for having been picked for the award because I have never even been called up to the national team Harambee Stars as a trialist,” Rama said.

“I must admit that it is because of teamwork at Congo United that I won the prize.”

The young, talented midfielder is in the under-23 team to All Africa Games qualifiers against Uganda later in the month.

Okinyi, Nation Media Group Sports Editor Elias Makori, Robin Toskin and Gilbert Wandera (The Standard Group), George Bwana and James Wokabi of SuperSport, Fred Arocho (Radio Jambo) and photo-journalist Stafford Ondega (Standard) have been contributing money every month for the award’s kitty.

Ex-officio members of the committee are KPL technical director G.M.T Otieno and KPL liaison officer Frank Okoth.

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