Goodbye 2024, welcome 2025

This was one year like none other.

To some, dreams were realised, but to others, they remained just that, dreams.

The retrospectives for 2024 are rolling out and it’s time to recall the year that was, well, almost was, as we still have 24 hours left...

It was a year of mixed feelings this. Just as is with life, many will have fond memories of 2024. Reminiscing what a moment that was, while to others, it will always be constant reminder of how hell will feel like, for those who habour the beliefs of heaven and hell.

Mention of 2024 will have endless heartaches and an avalanche of tears. But that’s how life is. It’s never fair. Though that feels like a good thing.

All in all, it was an awe-inspiring moment. But that is now part of history. After 364 days of nothing but high-octane activities, exploits at the Paris Olympics, failed 2025 African Cup of Nations qualification attempts by national football team Harambee Stars, a mutual feeling of dumplings all over the place, unrelenting on and off-field performance, we can now safely bid bye to 2024.

As is the ritual with any year, there are occurrences that stand out. Yes, those that form topics for our meaningless bar talks or remain etched in the minds of sports lovers; whether good or bad.

The Good:

Trust the daughters of Eve to come to the rescue when it matters most.

When Kenyan men were drowning in immense pressure at 2024 Paris Olympic Games, our women did their thing; winning more gold medals than their male counterparts.

Kenya’s performance at the Summer Games also marked a notable improvement, bagging 11 medals; four gold, two silver, and five bronze.

All-time great in women 1500m Faith Kipyegon set an Olympic record as she won a third successive women’s at the Olympic Games.

Beatrice Chebet became the first Kenyan to win the double-distance Olympic gold medals at the same Games.

Just before celebration settled down, Ruth Chepngetich won the Chicago Marathon in a world record of 2:09:56.

Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi moved joint second on the world all-time list in 800m behind David Rudisha.

And the list goes on, and on...

The Bad:

Harambee Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after finishing third in Group J with six points behind leaders Cameroon and Zimbabwe who were second.

Africa 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala and former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge went into Paris Olympics hoping to make an impact, but exited with little celebration.

It was the same script in boxing. For the first time in six decades, Kenya did not have a representative at the Summer Olympics. It was all bark and no bite by the Kenyan boxers.

The Ugly:

The beginning and end of this year has been quite identical. In February, Kenyans woke up to the disheartening news that world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum was no more. Gone in a flash, Kiptum was destined for greatness.

He loved life and all tidings that come with life. He loved football too. On the night Kiptum and his coach died in a road crash in Eldoret, he’d just cheered his team Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Too sad that Kiptum can’t share in the Red Devils’ current quandary.

On December 21, footballer Ezekiel Otuoma rested after long illness with motor neurone disease.

And just a day after the birthday of Jesus Christ, volleyball beauty Janet Wanja took a trip to the land of no return. She closed her adorable eyes as she’d done before, only that this time, it was the last time. He disarming smile had faded away. Her gorgeous dimples were no more.

Just like Robert Nesta Marley sang; ...good friends we have, good friends we’ve lost, along the way...in this great future, you can’t forget your past, so dry your tears, I say.

Goodbye 2024!