The youth in Meru County have a chance to showcase their football talents after Betika Company, through its ‘Betika na community’ initiative launched a football tournament set to kick off on March 10 to March 31.
Speaking during the launch that was held at Kinoru stadium, Betika Managing Director Mr Mutua Mutava said the tournament will involve at least 48 teams including 32 and 16 clubs for men and women respectively.
While all the participating teams will get full jerseys, Mr Mutava said, the overall winners of each category will walk away with Sh1 million, runners up to get Sh500,000 while position three will take home Sh250,000.
“The main aim of this tournament is to nurture talents in this county and make football a career like any other and not just another game. During such events, one can be identified by the many scouts who will be around and this can be someone’s turning point of his life,” said Mr Mutava.
He called on the participants to be dedicated to the tournament adding that this will determine whether the tournament will be made an annual event.
“As Betika community, we are always delighted to see that we have lifted someone from the grassroots to be a football star in the country as well as globally,” said Mr Mutava adding that they were also trying to find a partner whom they can collaborate with to start a football academy in the region.
Meru County’s Sports, gender, culture, and social development executive Mr Benjamin Mungania said the coming of Betika to the County was a game changer for the young people as it will help many of them monetise their football talents.
He added that the county government is ready to work with Betika to support upcoming football talents as such events keep the youth busy thus preventing them from engaging in unlawful activities including drug abuse.
“As a department, we are very passionate about our young people and in line with this, we shall be launching a Governor’s cup in August which will attract young people from all the corners of the county,” said Mr Mungania.
Federation of Kenyan Football County Chairman Mr Ken Rungu said in the last year the state of football in the county has been rising courtesy of various tournaments as well as sponsorship of football clubs by various corporates.
By Dickson Mwiti and Sumaiya Abdi
