Peerless Royal Media Services crowned overall 2025 Sara Cup winners

Royal Media Services (RMS) bagged all honors on offer after clinching gold in all three disciplines at the fifth edition of the Sara Cup, held on Saturday at St. Mary’s School, Westlands, Nairobi.  

The tournament, an initiative by friends and colleagues of former Chief Administrative Secretary of Education and the Chair of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Dr. Sara Ruto, aims to raise funds for the Tenda Wema initiative, which supports marginalized children and youth with scholarships and mentorship opportunities.

This year’s edition brought together corporate teams including Usawa Agenda, Sifa Plus, Friends of Sara, SHOFCO, Express Parents, ZIPAL+RELI, Dignitas, Express Coaches, and Matrix Vision.

RMS made a remarkable run in football, winning their opening group game 1-0 against Sifa Plus, with midfield cog Festus Lang’o scoring the crucial goal. They went on to drub Vapors 1-0 in the semifinals, thanks to a maiden goal from scintillating Basil Ogembo.

Despite heavy rains, RMS sealed victory in the final with a 1-0 win over FKF Kikuyu Sub-County courtesy of talisman Emmanuel Ochieng’s decisive strike in the match's dying embers.

The volleyball team also staged a spirited performance, dismissing Airtel 3-0 in their opener. Bernard Cheruiyot put on a man-of-the-match shift as they advanced to the finals against Usawa Agenda.

Despite trailing after the first set, RMS staged a comeback to claim the remaining two sets, with skipper Lewis Njagi playing the starring role.

In athletics, RMS proved unstoppable in the 4x100m relay. The versatile Emmanuel Ochieng's strong start, seamless baton exchanges by Sweeny Jangara and Beryl Oyoo, and a powerful finish from Nathaniel Maina secured the gold medal and capped a memorable day of victories.

This year’s triumph was particularly significant for RMS, as the team had exited the last edition of the Sara Cup in the pool games without a single win. Their comeback performance was a display of determination, teamwork, and resilience.

The Sara Cup continues to honor the legacy of Dr. Sara Ruto, also the founder of Zizi Afrique, and served as CEO of the PAL Network from 2015 to 2021. Dr. Ruto has been instrumental in citizen-led learning initiatives across East Africa, including Uwezo, which she initiated in Kenya in 2009.

The 5th Edition of the Sara Cup not only showcased sporting talent but also reaffirmed the power of community and corporate partnerships in driving social change through education and mentorship.