Bomet-based Cheptalal FC emerged victorious in the South Rift Region Cheza Dimba tournament, securing a milestone win in the Tujiamini Initiative, a programme aimed at nurturing grassroots sports talent.
In a thrilling showdown, Cheptalal FC clinched a 2-1 win against Narok Town Stars FC, earning a coveted three-year sponsorship deal worth Sh 250,000 annually.
This win also guarantees them a place in the upcoming nationwide Tujiamini Initiative Cheza Dimba tournament.
Cheptalal FC’s Benson Mutai set the tone by scoring in the opening minute. Narok Town Stars FC responded in the 27th minute with Simon Karanja leveling the score, keeping both teams on edge through regular time.
However, Davies Kiprono’s last-minute goal during stoppage time sealed Cheptalal’s hard-fought victory.
Team captain Elius Kipng’eno praised his squad’s resilience against a formidable opponent.
“We knew it would be a tough match, so we stayed focused, especially in those crucial final moments.
This sponsorship is a huge boost for our team, as we’ve faced numerous challenges as a community club,” Kipng’eno said.
SportPesa’s representative, Mercy Kabui, applauded the players’ efforts while presenting the trophy, reaffirming the company’s commitment to supporting community sports.
“Tournaments like Cheza Dimba offer young talents an invaluable platform to develop their skills and grow. We’re proud to support these community teams and help bring their success stories to life,” she noted.
Narok Town Stars FC captain, Felix Ekisa, expressed pride in his team despite the loss.
“We trained hard and gave it our all. Although we couldn’t overcome Cheptalal this time, we’re motivated to push forward and grow as a club,” said Ekisa.
The tournament saw a record 170 team entries, underscoring the region’s talent potential.
Cheptalal FC fans also made their mark, winning Sh 10,000 in the “Bronze Kwa Ground” award for their strong turnout, while Johnson Mungai claimed the Crossbar Challenge prize.
Next, the Tujiamini Initiative heads to the Coast, offering more community teams a chance to compete in the penultimate round of the Cheza Dimba tournament.
By Lamech Willy A
