Veteran Griffin Ligare was named the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for July 2024 after inspiring Nairobi City Thunder to their first ever Kenya Basketball Federation Men’s Premier League title in the 2023-2024 season, which concluded on July 20.
At 39 years, captain Ligare led by example with impressive performances as they struck the Terrorists of University of Nairobi 3-0 (73-66, 84-38 and 75-53) in the quarter-finals, Equity Dumas 3-0 (79-77, 69-66 and 77-54) in semi-final and 2023 winners Kenya Ports Authority 3-0 (73-70, 59-50 and 86-48) in the final.
Following the victory, Thunder will represent Kenya at the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers later this year.
This was Ligare’s first time to win the Premier League since joining Thunder in 2009 from Kenya University’s Pirates. His remarkable contribution in the play-offs earned him the most valuable player title. But he is not an unfamiliar face in the Kenyan basketball scene – Ligare has captained the national team, Kenya Morans in the past, and has represented the country in 49 international matches.
The point guard, who attended Garrison Primary School and Sipili Secondary School in Laikipia County, is also a first-time recipient of the SPOM award.
LG’s Managing Director for East Africa, Dongwon Lee, expressed confidence that the SPOM recognition will motivate Ligare to continue making history for Nairobi City Thunder and Kenya internationally.
“It is great to honor Mr. Ligare today for his commitment to the sport of basketball, and we know that true to his enduring spirit, he will keep flying the Kenyan flag high,” he said.
To land the award, Ligare, the sports scientist and physical education teacher, garnered the most votes from the SPOM selection panel.
He ousted two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, who shattered her own 1,500m world record during the Paris Diamond League early July, and three-time Zambia International Rally winner Karan Patel.
“I am really honored to have won this award, especially considering I was up against a tough pool of worthy competitors. I hope this recognition will continue an inspiration to upcoming athletes, especially in basketball,” said Ligare.
Kabras Sugar RFC player Eric Cantona who starred for the Kakamega-based side as it won the opening leg of the National Sevens Rugby Circuit – Christie Sevens – also made the SPOM nomination list, alongside young striker Faith Cherotich reknowned for her exploits in the Eastern Region secondary school games after guiding the Kwanthanze girls’ football team to the nationals for the second consecutive time. Other nominees were Kenya Sevens speedster Chrisant Ojwang, and multi-Paralympic medalist, Samuel Mushai.