Equity Bank has once again solidified its dominance by winning the Best Overall Bank for the second consecutive year at the 37th edition of the Interbank Games, making them the reigning champions for 2024. The bank was also recognized as the Best Bank in the Tier One category.
This year’s Interbank Games, hosted at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) in Nairobi, saw participation from over 30 financial institutions and featured more than 20 sporting disciplines.
Among the many triumphs, Equity Bank emerged victorious in the March Past category, outperforming Co-op and KCB, showcasing impeccable teamwork and synchronization in their marching formations.
The Men’s Volleyball team, led by captain Lawrence Nkoyo, defended their title by defeating CBK 2-0 in the semifinals before overcoming Co-op Bank 3-1 in the final match. “Opponents are improving a lot, with some players having professional league experience,” said Nkoyo. “The addition of new staff has really helped us maintain the trophy for two years, and we’re grateful for this win.”
In athletics, the Women’s team took first place, while the Men’s team finished second, with standout performances in the relays, 100m, 400m, and 800m races, including a remarkable victory by Abraham Kiplagat in the 800m and Sylvia Wasilwa’s run in relay. Additionally, Equity Bank Kenya’s Acting Managing Director, Moses Nyabanda, delivered an outstanding run during the 100m race.
The Women’s Basketball team capped off an unbeaten run with a commanding win against I&M in the finals, with team captain Melissa Akinyi being named Most Valuable Player (MVP), continuing her stellar performance from the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) playoffs perfomances with the Equity Hawks.
“The competition has really stepped up, and many teams have made significant improvements. We’ve remained unbeaten for the past eight years, but that doesn’t mean we can relax. We need to keep working hard and continue training as we aim to improve ourselves as well.” She remarked.
Both the Men’s and Women’s Handball teams went unbeaten in their respective categories, while the Women’s Netball team also dominated to take first place. The Women’s Football team excelled in the 8-team round-robin competition, clinching the title after beating Absa in the finals. Although the Men’s Football team lost to I&M 4-1 in the final, they impressed with an unbeaten run throughout the group stages and knockouts.
Squash ladies powered through an unbeaten run to the finals, proudly clinching silver. The men’s table tennis team secured a commendable 3rd place finish, while the women snatched silver. Badminton proved to be a challenging competition, with the overall team battling their way to a solid 3rd place.
Meanwhile, the men’s tug of war team fought fiercely, earning another 3rd place finish. With a strong foundation laid, the team is already gearing up to bring home even more trophies in the next edition of the Interbank Games!
Chief Guest William Nyaga, representing CBK Governor Dr. Kamau Thugge, reminded participants that “it’s not the will to win that matters, but the will to prepare to win.” He emphasized the importance of teamwork and urged employees to carry the spirit of collaboration back to their workplaces, encouraging further institutional support for such events.
John Rioba, Chair of the Kenya Institute of Bankers (KIB) Governing Council, expressed his gratitude to all participating teams and the bank leadership. “We are all winners today, and I commend the bank managements who supported their staff in these games. It shows the value we place on employee engagement and health.”
Equity Bank’s Acting Managing Director, Moses Nyabanda, praised the Equity team, saying, “Sports is integral to what we do at Equity Bank. It’s about more than serving our customers—it’s about staying healthy, engaging with colleagues, and building strong networks across the banking sector.”
Equity Bank Sports Coordinator Nick Ongeri also shared his elation after winning the overall trophy in Tier One and defending the Best Overall Bank title. “We’ll keep working hard to improve in sports and continue elevating Equity Bank’s name. This victory is a result of dedication and teamwork from everyone.”
Equity Bank’s continued success in the Interbank Games is a reflection of their commitment to excellence in both sports and the banking industry. As they aim to defend their titles, the games inspires staff and institutions to foster teamwork, fitness, and collaboration.
