Kenyan youngster Gwendo dreams of Harambee Stars as he chases US award
Kenyan teenager Ethan Henry Gwendo has been nominated for the prestigious Youth Athlete of the Year award in the United States, becoming the only Kenyan and possibly the only African in the final five.
The 16-year-old, who lives in Florida, is competing for the award organized by Colossal. The winner will walk away with $25,000 (about Sh3.2 million), a feature in Sports Illustrated, one of America’s biggest sports platforms, and the official title of Youth Athlete of the Year. The competition, which began on July 28, runs until October.
Gwendo says the recognition is a huge honor, but beyond the award, his biggest dream is to one day play for Kenya’s Harambee Stars. “I live in Florida now, but my heart is proudly Kenyan,” Gwendo said. “My dream is to one day play for the Harambee Stars, our National Team, and eventually go professional.”
The youngster’s journey has been filled with challenges. Raised by a single mother, he recalls how his family made sacrifices to support his sporting ambitions. “Every step of my athletic career has been fueled by the love and sacrifices of my family,” he explained. “From picking me up after practice to buying kits and equipment despite the cost, my family has carried me and believed in me every step of the way.”
Gwendo’s nomination is not just about him. The award also supports the Why Not You Foundation and the V Foundation for Cancer Research. He says this gives the recognition an even deeper meaning. “The motto ‘Why Not You?’ encourages me — and I hope it encourages every Kenyan — that we too can shine on global platforms,” he said. “Winning this competition would not just be a personal victory — it would be a chance to show that Kenya raises athletes who can shine on the world stage.”
Organizers of the award say the competition is more than just crowning a winner. It is a celebration of youth sport, hard work, and perseverance. Even those who do not take the grand prize gain an opportunity to inspire others. For Gwendo, however, the prospect of featuring in Sports Illustrated — a publication that has shaped sports culture for 70 years — would be life changing.
3BRAND, a sports and lifestyle apparel line created by NFL star Russell Wilson, is also partnering in the award. Winners will appear in its campaigns, blending performance, fashion, and the “Why Not You?” attitude aimed at motivating young people globally.
Gwendo says being the only Kenyan in the competition gives him extra motivation. “I would be so grateful if Kenyans everywhere rallied behind me with their votes,” he said. “This is not just about me — it is about showing the world what Kenyan athletes can achieve.”
With the voting still ongoing and the winner set to be unveiled in October, Gwendo carries the hopes of a nation, balancing his American journey with a dream deeply rooted in home soil: wearing the Harambee Stars jersey.