Karan Patel named LG/SJAK Sports Personality of the month of November

Nairobi-based rally driver Karan Patel outclassed a strong contingent to win the LG/SJAK Sports Personality of November award.

Patel who is also a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, achieved this feat after securing his maiden FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) in Tanzania last month.

This triumph marked Karan's second SPOM award, following his first in October 2022, the same year he clinched his maiden Kenya National Rally Championship title.

Karan has since swept the ground with all his opponents over the last two seasons finishing second overall to Zambian Leroy Gomes in the 2022 ARC season and indeed beating Uganda's Jas Mangat to the title on the homestretch in the prestigious Rally of Tanzania in November 2023.

To win the November silverware, Karan beat several other nominees in other disciplines including Kenya’s highest-ranked golfer Michael Karanga of Kiambu Golf Club, and 58-year-old athlete Priscillah Biwott who won a gold medal in the women's 5000m at the 14th Africa Masters Athletics Championships in Pretoria, South Africa.

Karanga made it to the nomination list for breaking a 23-year-old course record as he won the prestigious Manchester Salver tournament at the Eldoret Golf Club, in the same month he finished second while playing against 30 professional golfers and 40 amateurs at a Pro-Am competition at Kiambu Golf Club.

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Patel, adorned with the Red Bull athlete distinction, joined the prestigious ranks of Kenyan drivers who got their mitts on the FIA ARC title including the likes of Shekhar Mehta, David Horsey, Jaspreet Singh Chatthe, Don Smith, Manvir Baryan, and Carl Tundo.

"Winning the FIA African Rally Championship is the realization of a lifelong dream. It's an honor to be mentioned alongside the legends of Kenyan rallying and also win my second Sports Personality of the Month award. Tauseef (Khan) and I put in tireless effort to reach this milestone, and I am immensely grateful for the unwavering support we have received," Karan said after receiving the award.

He was awarded an LG washing machine valued at Sh 101,000.

LG Electronics EA Marketing Director, Changh-Yun Kim congratulated Karan for his title success saying: "SJAK has always been a fantastic partner, and we are very pleased to be rewarding excellence across all sports in the country. We look forward to further developing our relationship with the sports scribes in whipping up the enthusiasm of our distinguished sportsmen and women across all corners of the country."

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SJAK treasure Mukami Wambora who graced the event thanked LG for their support towards sports personalities and added that their ambitions to empower sportspeople aligned.

“Over the last eight years, LG has consistently supported sports in the country, on and off the pitch. Last month, we honored a dedicated athlete, Pastor Elizabeth Jepchirchir from Iten, for her passion in athletics and her moral support for athletes. Together, we share an ambition to recognize individuals at all levels and ensure everyone can enjoy sports at the grassroots," Wambura concluded.