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The former GSU captain made history as the first Kenyan to win the CAVB men’s club championship after being named best blocker
Wafalme Stars middle blocker Simeone Kipkorir has become the second volleyball player to be named the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month after claiming the May award for making history as the first Kenyan player to win the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) men’s club championship.
The MS Boussalem (MSB) player, who was instrumental in guiding his Tunisian side to the title against favourites Zamalek in a five-set thriller, was named the continent’s best blocker, another first for a Kenyan in the men’s competition, and made the championship’s dream team.
Kipkorir, a former General Service Unit (GSU) skipper, nicknamed ‘Kosirai’ joined the Tunisian giants on a one-year deal in September last year from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ibtisam where he had been utilised as an opposite hitter.
MSB battled from two sets down to beat Zamalek Volleyball 3-2 (20-25, 22-25, 26-24 ,25-23, 15-12) to win the title on their debut in the continental competition, their remarkable comeback ending Zamalek’s hopes for a treble this season having earlier won the Egyptian league and cup competitions.
Kosirai had captained GSU since 2019, having joined the Gideon Tarus-coached national champions in 2017 after a three-month stint with the Ulinzi. He is part of a squad that has lifted the coveted national title five consecutive seasons.
The 25-year-old becomes the second volleyball player to receive the award this year, after women’s league MVP Pamela Adhiambo.
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LG’s EA Marketing Director Changh-Yun Kim expressed his delight at seeing the continuation of the award that recognises excellence in all sporting disciplines for Kenyan athletes who have repeatedly proven that the country is a talent hub.
"From our branding perspective and our obligations to the community, this award gives us a lot of fulfilment and we see a positive impact in disciplines that have over the years put the country on the world map,” Changh-Yun Kim noted.
SJAK president James Waindi urged all athletes to raise the bar as their efforts will always be appreciated.
“We are thankful to LG for partnering with us since we started awarding sports personalities. We have come a long way in this journey and it is a pleasure to see them remain one of our key partners for such a noble initiative,” said Waindi.
An alumnus of Malava Boys High and Cheptil Boys with whom he won two national school titles in 2014 and 2016, Kosirai beat other talented athletes to the May award including fellow volleyballer Trizah Atuka who was named the best middle blocker in the women’s version of the African club games as her side Kenya Pipeline settled for silver.
His toughest competitor for the prestigious gong was, however, Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga who in the month of May scored five goals, four in their final match against Shamal to help his side Al Duhail clinch the Qatar Star League (QSL) title.
The goals also ensured that the Kenyan striker, who topped the scoring charts last season with 24 goals, bagged the Golden Boot for the second year in a row after finishing the campaign with 22.
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