The 2025/26 Betika BingwaFest national finals have officially commenced at Kinoru Stadium in Meru, marking the climax of Kenya’s premier grassroots multi-sport extravaganza. Running until Sunday, April 5, 2026, the tournament features a massive KSh 23 million prize pool, aiming to provide a professional platform for local talent to transition to global stages.
A “Grassroots Olympics”
Betika Group CEO Mutua Mutava highlighted that the tournament is designed to mirror the Olympics, specifically emphasizing gender equality by rewarding men and women equally across all disciplines. Beyond the pitch, the festival includes community outreach programs, such as free medical camps.
Tournament Composition:
- Football: 16 teams (8 men, 8 women)
- Rugby: 24 teams (16 men, 8 women)
- Basketball (3×3): 32 teams (16 men, 16 women)
- Athletics: Over 200 individual athletes
Football: Title Defenses and Rising Challengers
Football action began on Monday, March 30. The defending champions, Leads United, signaled their intent early with a dominant 3-0 victory over Machakos Talent Academy on Tuesday.
| Category | Key Contenders |
|---|---|
| Men’s Football | Leads United, Bandari Youth, Dunga FC, APS Seals, Plantech FC, Al Azizia FC, TBM Health FC |
| Women’s Football | Murang’a Sparks Queens, Macmillan Starlets, Kolwa Falcons, MAS Queens, Iron Ladies Academy, Black Panther Queens |
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Athletics: World-Class Field in 10,000m
The athletics program, set for Friday, April 3, features an elite lineup that rivals international meets.
- Women’s 10,000m: Headlined by Brenda Jepchirchir, who holds the current world-leading 10km road time. She faces defending champion Maurine Chebor and Sandrafelis Chebet.
- Men’s 10,000m: Features global star Daniel Simiu Ebenyo going up against defending champion Titus Kiprotich and Robert Kiprop.
Prize Money Breakdown
The BingwaFest remains one of the most lucrative grassroots competitions in Africa.
| Discipline | Winner (Gold) | Runner-up (Silver) | Third Place (Bronze) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Football & Rugby | KSh 1,500,000 | KSh 750,000 | KSh 400,000 |
| 3×3 Basketball | KSh 750,000 | KSh 400,000 | KSh 200,000 |
| 10,000m (Athletics) | KSh 400,000 | KSh 350,000 | KSh 300,000 |
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Schedule of Events
- March 30 – April 5: Continuous Football matches.
- Thursday, April 2: Athletics bib collection.
- Friday, April 3: Commencement of Rugby, 3×3 Basketball, and Athletics track events.
- Sunday, April 5: Grand Finale and Awards Ceremony.
The event comes at a busy time for the region, following the recent passing of Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho and the ongoing Enhanced Voter Registration drive. Local authorities in Meru have assured fans of heightened security throughout the week to ensure the safety of the thousands of spectators expected at Kinoru Stadium.
