The KBC Channel 1’s Legends Edition is the go-to bulletin for sports lovers. It offers a well-packaged and rich menu that is informative and entertaining.
Aired every Saturday, the segment reports on the week’s sporting events and activities, news, and sometimes a special feature. From popular sports like athletics, swimming, volleyball and football to the less followed ones like judo and cricket, viewers are treated to diverse disciplines.
Anchor Topi Lyambila is a veteran journalist who is passionate, well-informed and thorough. We caught up with him on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 9.35pm and for more than half an hour he took viewers through a comprehensive coverage of sporting news.
His top story was the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon held in the United Arab Emirates. Athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia—Africa’s traditional long-distance and marathon rivals—dominated the competition. Kenya’s Alex Matata clocked 59.20 to win the men’s title while Judy Kemboi and Jesca Chelangat came in second and third, respectively, in the women’s race. Ejgayehu Haylu of Ethiopia claimed the women’s title.
Locally, there were results of the third leg of the Kenya volleyball men’s league, the FKF Premier League, the National Judo League, and the Rugby Kenya Cup. Others were for the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association T20 championships, in its third week, the NCBA Magical Kenya Open qualifiers at Sigona Golf Club, and the ITF World Junior Tennis Tournament.
Hockey lovers were not left out as the Africa Hockey Club Cup kicked off in the Africa Cup of Club Champions. Kenya was represented by Mombasa Sports Club (women), USIU and Western Jaguars (men). The nine-day tournament ended on February 7.
In other reports, there was an interview with Kenya’s reigning 800m champion Mary Moraa, who hopes to become the first woman to retain the title in this year’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Athletics Kenya has rolled out a programme to support athletes to prepare well for the upcoming championships.
On football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has updated the player registration regulations of the CAF champions league and the CAF Confederations Cup. The new rules will take effect this year and are designed to enhance the quality of African football clubs. CAF has also announced the match schedule for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
In swimming, there was a report on 500 swimmers taking part in the private and international preparatory schools and association invitational swimming gala at the Moi Educational Centre in Nairobi. Some 30 private and international schools took part in the inter-county swimming championships.
To spice up things, a special weekend feature for swimming lovers was on the cards. More than 100 swimmers of different age groups gathered at the Bellevue Swimming Club for the Peak Sports Swimming Championships. The swimmers showcased their prowess in different styles and strokes, with reporter Daniel Mwendwa noting that it takes passion, strength, and a support system to perfect one’s skills.
The Legends Edition is a great watch even for those with little interest in sports. The management of KBC should consider ways to popularise and monetise this segment.
