(LR) Moses Wakhisi, (Center) Griffin Ligare and Glenda Achieng during the the July 2024 Sports Personality of the Month
Veteran basketball player Griffin Ligare has been named the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the Month (SPOM) for July 2024, following a stellar performance that led Nairobi City Thunder to their first-ever Kenya Basketball Federation Men’s Premier League title in the 2023-2024 season.
At 39 years old, Ligare’s leadership on and off the court was instrumental in the Thunder’s historic triumph, culminating in a dominant 3-0 series sweep over top contenders. The team first dispatched University of Nairobi’s Terrorists 3-0 (73-66, 84-38, 75-53) in the quarter-finals, before overcoming Equity Dumas with another 3-0 victory (79-77, 69-66, 77-54) in the semi-finals. In the final, the Thunder defeated the defending champions, Kenya Ports Authority, with a clean 3-0 sweep (73-70, 59-50, 86-48), securing their place in basketball history.
This title marks Ligare’s first Premier League victory since joining Nairobi City Thunder in 2009 from Kenya University’s Pirates. His remarkable play throughout the playoffs earned him the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) title, a recognition of his consistent contributions and leadership. Despite being a key player on the Kenyan basketball scene for over a decade, Ligare remains a prominent figure, having captained the national team, Kenya Morans, and represented the country in 49 international matches.
Ligare’s dedication to the sport extends beyond his impressive basketball career. He is also a sports scientist and a physical education teacher, roles that reflect his passion for developing future generations of athletes. His recognition as the SPOM winner follows a highly competitive selection process, where he outperformed notable figures such as two-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, who set a new 1,500m world record at the Paris Diamond League, and Karan Patel, a three-time Zambia International Rally winner.
Speaking on his win, Ligare expressed his gratitude and humility, stating, “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 to inspire upcoming athletes, especially in basketball.”
The Managing Director of LG East Africa, Dongwon Lee, congratulated Ligare on his achievement, praising his enduring commitment to the sport. “It is great to honor 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,” Lee said.
With this title, Nairobi City Thunder will represent Kenya at the upcoming Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers later this year, and Ligare’s leadership will undoubtedly be a key factor in their quest for continental glory.
Ligare’s achievement serves as a beacon for aspiring basketball players in Kenya, further cementing his legacy as one of the nation’s most influential and successful athletes.