Lakers Women’s Hockey Club coach Amena Sheldon Ulisi has been named the Betika/SJAK Coach of the Month for January 2026 following his team’s historic triumph at the Africa Cup for Club Champions in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Ulisi guided the Kisumu-based side to their maiden continental title after a dramatic 2-0 victory on post-match penalties against defending champions Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The final had ended 1-1 in regulation time, setting the stage for a tense shootout in which the Kenyan side held their nerve to secure the landmark win.

The journey to the title was particularly remarkable. The Lakers travelled nearly 3,000 kilometers by road to Zimbabwe for the week-long tournament. They began their campaign with a loss to GRA, but rebounded strongly, registering two wins and ultimately exacting revenge against the same opponents in the final. The victory marked a significant milestone for Lakers, which was making its third appearance at the annual continental championship.

Betika Marketing Specialist Marya Wachira lauded the team’s resilience and determination, emphasizing the magnitude of their achievement. She noted that enduring such a demanding journey and still emerging champions was an accomplishment worthy of recognition. Wachira added that the milestone not only secures the team’s place in history, but also serves as inspiration for continued investment in excellence across Kenyan sport.

Ulisi edged out strong competition to clinch the monthly award. Among those she surpassed was Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor. The Ghanaian tactician guided K’Ogalo to an impressive run of five wins and one draw in January, enabling the club to open a four-point lead at the top of the SportPesa Premier League standings.

Also nominated was Kabras Sugar head coach Carlos Katywa. The South African steered the reigning Kenya Cup champions through an unbeaten January, securing four victories to keep them on track to finish top of the standings ahead of the playoffs.

Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) President James Waindi praised the Lakers’ persistence, highlighting the significance of their breakthrough victory. He noted that after two previous attempts at the continental championship, the Lakers’ eventual triumph demonstrated resilience and sustained hard work. Waindi expressed SJAK’s pride in the club’s achievement.

Several other coaches were shortlisted for the accolade. Patrick Ivuti was recognized after leading Kenya to a dominant performance at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, USA, where the team topped the medal table with nine medals. Francis Thuku Rogoi, coach of Kenya’s top-ranked female tennis player Angella Okutoyi, was also nominated following her rise from 561st to 414th in the Women’s Tennis Association singles rankings.

Additional nominees included KCB RFC coach Andrew Amonde, David Vijago of Kenya Police Bullets FC, and golf coaches Neil Mathews and David Mash. Ultimately, Ulisi’s historic continental success with the Lakers set her apart, earning her January’s top coaching honour.