Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament

SportyBet Kenya’s return to Uasin Gishu County as main sponsors for the Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament turned Eldoret and its environs into a hub of sport, opportunity and community engagement. In the weeks leading up to the tournament, the SportyBet caravan moved from Ziwa, Chepterit, Turbo, Kapsabet, and finally Eldoret CBD,
staging high-energy roadshows that mixed volleyball awareness with practical education on responsible betting and SportyBet platform demos.

The 2025 edition delivered exciting matches across all categories, substantial prize money (1st-1M, 2nd-500K, 3rd-300K), better volleyball equipment and kits,and free participation initiative to schools encouraging widespread involvement and strengthening the development of volleyball at the grassroots level. The tournament attracted more than 180 teams across
different categories, giving local players, schools and senior teams a professional stage on which to compete and grow.

The highlight of SportyBet’s community engagement initiative was the “Jinyakulie Boda na SportyBet” campaign which saw loyal SportyBet customers in the region ride away with brand-new SportyBet motorbikes.

In Chepterit,Sylvia, a sports betting punter selling groceries and a regular on the SportyBet platform was awarded a motorbike, was overjoyed, explaining that it would help her move goods faster between market centres. and reduce the cost and risk of relying on hired transport.

During the Eldoret activation night at Tamasha, another winner—Mr Kipkoech who sells mutura and a casual laborer was the lucky winner for the night, closing a night full of sports betting entertainment Collins hailing from Turbo who hawks Kahawa and food stuff along the busy highway—received a motorbike that will turn his one‑man hustle into a mobile business with greater reach.

“ Thanks to ‘Jinyakulie Boda,’ I will now be able to serve more customers in more places, earlier in the morning and late at night,” said Henry.

Meanwhile in Eldoret CBD, Christmas came early for a young Keiyo shamba boy and could not hide his joy saying “I have always wanted to own a motorbike and will now change my hustle to bodaboda ”.

“We are incredibly proud to witness the individual transformations from our “Jinyakulie Boda” winners. These are stories of resilience, and purpose,” said Michael from Sportybet.

Each winner’s story underlined how SportyBet’s “Jinyakuliue Boda” initiative to the local community is being channelled into real micro-enterprises rather than one-off giveaways.

Together, these initiatives illustrate how SportyBet’s impact and journey in the local sports scene and its innovative approach to betting is leaving a lasting imprint on the industry and nurturing local communities, tournaments and livelihoods.

The curtain has officially risen on the 2025 Kipchumba Karori Eldoret International Volleyball Tournament, with SportyBet Kenya unveiled as the main sponsor in a partnership that signals a new era for volleyball in the region.

Injecting KSh4 million into the event, SportyBet as the main sponsor will work closely with the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) to deliver a three-day showcase of talent from December 19 to 21, 2025, in Eldoret National Polytechnic.

The tournament brings together players from Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan, drawing teams across Senior Elite, self-supporting, university/college, high school, and primary school categories—highlighting the championship’s rapid growth and inclusive design.​

The 2025 edition has attracted a record 64 teams drawn from both self-supporting and Mashinani categories — a milestone that organizers describe as clear evidence of the growing community pipeline feeding the national volleyball scene.

According to Coordinator Paul Bitok, past tournaments have nurtured many players who have gone on to join the professional ranks. He added that the current edition is expected to attract increased scouting attention from grassroots, university, and school circuits alike.

The self-supporting category continues to enhance the tournament’s diversity, featuring 36 men’s teams from counties such as Kericho, Kakamega, Nandi, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia, and Uasin Gishu — all competing for recognition and county pride. On the women’s side, five community teams — Kipkenyo, Starlet Nandi, Kipkaren Queens, Busia Divas, and Sinyereri — will challenge themselves against more experienced opponents.

Bitok emphasized his team’s commitment to providing optimal facilities, smooth scheduling, and stringent safety measures as early pool-stage encounters begin shaping the road to the quarterfinals and beyond.