Gal in the hood: Sporty trends

By Chiquitta

Kenyans have always had a weird relationship with sports. Don’t get me wrong: We make for the most loyal fans when we latch onto any sport but sometimes we seem to over do it. Usually sporting events seem to pick up during a winning streak or charismatic personality gets involved. It’s hard to imagine that a decade ago wide screen sports television were not a dime a dozen in pubs and clubs. Now you can’t enjoy a good evening without people staring over your shoulder at the screen behind you. Well, fanatics have had there moments and there are so many sports Kenyans have latched onto and discarded. But I doubt that would be happening to footie or rugby in the near future though.

Basketball

Michael Jordan. Number 23. Chicago Bulls. That was enough back in the 90s to get people running to watch the NBA highlights that were usually aired on TV. Guys (and some chicks) even dressed in basketball vest and shorts, armbands and headbands with the Nike logo or Air Jordan label. Teenies walked around holding basketballs, even though their layups were nothing to write home about. This was the height of NBA when the US Olympic Dream Team of 1992 won gold. the team included three of the game’s all-time greats: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Add the irrepressible Charles Barkley for a little spice, as well as seven more NBA All-Stars: centers David Robinson and Patrick Ewing, power forward Karl Malone, swingmen Scottie Pippen, Chris Mullin and Clyde Drexler and point guard John Stockton. To complete the team was college player Christian Laettner. Basketball became so popular that rims and courts sprouted in estates all over the city.

Football

Football has always been popular; it’s been tagged a universal game. English Premiership has gained a legion of fans even before the days of David Beckham. It is not people were not into footie before, it just that David Beckham brought glamour and self branding that took the game to another level. English Premiership is a far cry from the days of Gor Mahia and AFC leopards or Football Made In Germany. But the euphoria is the same. And football also comes with its unusual dress code; some guys even wear premiership jerseys to weddings and other inappropriate venues. And it’s got fanaticism: Some guys have issued suicide threats when their teams lose, while others have been know to spend vast amounts of money when their teams win. They also issue suicide threats when they wake up the next day.

Formula One

Now that Lewis Hamilton has won the Driver’s Championship, we can expect many more Kenyans to watch Grand Prix. Will guys start donning Formula One jackets as a fashion statement? Will bumper stickers written, "My other car is a Ferrari" become popular.? Will drivers suddenly become obsessed with the need for speed even if they are driving a Hyundai that has seen better days?

Athletics

Kenyans are so proud of their runners Pamela Jelimo, Janeth Jepkosgei and the rest. But for some reason, in an area that we seem to effortlessly excel, there is very little euphoria. Abroad, Kenyan gold medallists are courted for endorsements and picture opportunities. As someone quipped: "McCain should have known better than to run against a Kenyan". The same mania is hard to catch at home. You don’t wake up and catch a bunch of Kenyans running to keep fit having been inspired by Jelimo. You don’t see Kenya team tracksuits or Kenya Olympic vests on casual Friday. Neither will you catch us keeping up with the progress of our fastest runners as they practice. Instead we wait for them to win lots of money then reward them with gold digging marriage proposals. Great way to show support isn’t it.