More than 36 football teams will take part in the second edition of Governor Tunai Premier Cup mini-league to be held at Narok stadium later this month.
Speaking after presiding over the Kilgoris Central ward qualification tournament on Sunday, the tournament Coordinator, John Koilel said the competition will kick off on November 26 and end on November 30 and will include four women teams.
Koilel who is the Administrator in the Office of the Governor in charge of Youth and Sports, said the competition started from the ward level and the winners will now proceed to the county level. Governor Samuel Tunai is sponsoring the event.
“The pooling to decide which team will face each other will be done on the material day of the event at the Narok stadium, which is the main venue of the tournament. Other games will be played at Narok Boys and Maasai Girls High Schools’ fields,” he said.
Koilel said the aim of the tournament is to nurture and empower young talents among the youths and urged them to exploit it and also divert their attention from social vices like drug abuse.
He further added that such initiatives will encourage young people to come together and engage in positive activities.
He urged the youths to take the tournament seriously and showcase their talents in sports among other development issues in order to achieve something from the tournament.
“In future we are planning to incorporate other sports like rugby, volleyball, basketball among other sports so that we can tap to other talents,” he added.
The County Director of Sports, Benson Kariuki on his part noted that the overall winner of the tournament will get the chance to represent the county during the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association tournament which will be sponsored by Council of Governors in Busia County mid-next month.
“During the tournament there will be a talent search team from the Kenya Premier League led by its Technical Director, Patrick Naggi and they will scout for best talents throughout the competition. The aim of the governor is to get one strong team that he will sponsor up to the top flight league,” said Kariuki.
The overall winner of the tournament will be awarded with cash prizes of Sh. 500,000 and a trophy while runners-ups will bag Sh. 200,000. The third and four teams will get Sh. 150,000 and Sh. 100,000 respectively. All the teams in the tournament will also receive playing uniforms and soccer balls.
In the Kilgoris Central ward qualification tournament on Sunday, Olmelil FC emerged the winner and will now join other teams like the Maasai Mara University team in the tournament.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku/Joseph Kariuki
