By The Peak
Kinoru Stadium in Meru County will play host to the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional finals this weekend, with eight teams (four boys and four girls’ teams) lined up for a regional title clash.
Setting the stage on Saturday with the first match will be the Mavoko Starlets from Machakos against Syomunyu Secondary from Kitui County.
The second clash will see Isiolo’s Garbatula United take on Predators from Embu County in the boys’ match.
In another action-packed match, Saku Queens from Marsabit will aim for the title when they meet Chuka University Starlets in the second girls’ semifinals.
To close the day’s activities, Machakos Boys will lock horns with Chuka University Scorpions, the newly crowned champions of Tharaka Nithi County.
According to Mount Kenya region Safaricom Business lead Mr James Mutisya, the tournament follows a successful grassroots game, that proceeded to sub-county, county, and inter-county playoff games played across the eight counties of the Eastern Region that attracted 444 teams.
Mr Mutisya said the winners from each semi-final group would vie for victory in the finals slated for Sunday, where each winning team (boys and girls) will take home Sh250,000 and book a slot to represent the region at the national finals set for early next year.
The runners-up teams will take home Sh150,000 each while the Best Goalkeeper, top scorer, and Most Valuable (boys and girls) will each receive Sh30,000.
In addition to the prize money, Mr Mutisya added, each player both winners and runners-up will also get Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphone in Kenya.
“Safaricom Chapa Dimba aims to provide a structured platform for scouts and coaches to tap into new talent and build feeder systems for the Kenyan football leagues across the country while also training a total of 250 coaches. The tournament targets footballers aged between 16 and 20,” said Mr Mutisya.
Chuka University Scorpions Head Coach Sean Opwora said they were ready for the weekend action, where they will be playing against Machakos Boys in their first match.
“We plan to play a tactical game, knowing that our opponents are also very strong. We are determined to win and get a chance to represent our county and the region at large in the national finals.”
“I am equally impressed with the Chapa Dimba initiative, and I believe two or three of my players will be scouted to be among those who will be going to Spain next year,” said Mr Opwora.
The weekend matches were preceded by players and coach clinics at the same facility and will involve training on various aspects of the football tournament including the use of GPS Sports Vests, which Safaricom has introduced to aid in the scouting of players by collecting data and building on the players profiles during the matches using metrics that are globally recognized and accepted.
The tournament has produced many talented players such as Benson Omala of Gor Mahia, currently a top scorer in the Kenya Premier League; David Majak of Tusker FC; Jentrix Shikangwa of Beijing Beikong, Jane Njeri, Cynthia Livondo, and Judith Osimbo among others.
This year, Safaricom has committed over Sh400 million to support the tournament from Mashinani to the national level.
The total prize money for the tournament has doubled to Sh20 million to reward the winning boys’ and girls’ teams from the grassroots, county, regional, and national finals.
Additionally, 150 Scholarships to TVET colleges will also go to top talent – Best Boy and Girl players – from every county and the winning Girls and Boys Team at the National Final courtesy of the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations.
The best football players, two boys and two girls, will be scouted during each of the regional finals, to form an All-Star team.
They will get an opportunity to visit Spain for a 10-day training boot camp, with two players (a boy and a girl) getting international placement in a youth team in Spain.
There is also additional prize money at the national finals level, which will see the most disciplined team take home Sh100,000, while the Best Girl player, Girls’ Top Scorer, and Girls’ Best Keeper will take home Sh50,000 each.
