Kitui Super Solico FC wins Chapa Dimba na Safaricom in Eastern

Kitui Super Solico FC from Mwingi are the winners of Chapa Dimba na Safaricom tournament for Eastern region after beating Isiolo Young Stars FC 4-3 in post-match penalties.
The scintillating match played at Ithookwe grounds in Kitui Sunday, attracted a huge crowd that supported the local team as it battled out for a slot in the national championships.
The ladies’ title was taken by St. Mary’s Nodevia from Makueni County who got Sh200, 000 prize, while each player got a cell phone worth Sh10, 000 and Sh1000 airtime.
In 2018, Mwingi Junior Stars represented Ukambani region at the national Chapa Dimba na Safaricom finals held in Nairobi on March 23-25, 2018.
Kitui County Deputy Director in charge of Sports Esther Mutemi said that the lads made the county proud as they shined throughout the tournament.
“The County will look into the team’s welfare and nurture talents from the grassroots,” said Mutemi.
Eight youth teams are chasing the regional championships to get the coveted slot of playing in the national finals that will take place in Meru County in June.
The race started in January with over 170 teams taking part in the knock out stages.
In the semi-finals of the boy’s category, Embu’s Triumph boys take on the Young Stars from Isiolo while the Samba boys from Moyale will face off Super Solicio from Mwingi.
In the girls group, Meru Central will field the Karugwa Queens against Meru South’s Chuka Starlets while Marsabit’s Sakuu Queens will battle against St. Mary’s Nodevia from Makueni.
Regional defending champions, Mwingi Junior Academy and Ngakaa Talent Center, failed in the qualifiers and this means new names will appear on the winner’s trophy this year.
Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Eastern Region Coordinator, Iddy Badi noted the competitiveness of the games so far from all levels and said that teams have been putting their best foot forward, highlighting that real talent had been noted.
A dazzling performance is expected this weekend where players for an all- star team that will train at the La Liga grounds In Spain will be picked.
All winners also stand a chance to walk away with cash reward of Sh200,000 each and a chance to represent the region in the tournament’s national finals later in the year. Runners- up will also pocket Sh100, 000.
The teams that have so far qualified for the finals are Lugari Blue Saints and Bishop Njenga Girls who emerged winners at the Bukhungu Stadium in the Western region finals as well as Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza.
After this weekend, Chapa Dimba then moves to Rift Valley, Coast, Central, North Eastern and Nairobi regions as the race to La Liga gets more intense.
Chapa Dimba draws talented male and female youth aged between 16-20 years to a football tournament.
The initiative aims to transform the lives of young people by giving them a platform to showcase their talent and an opportunity to earn from their passion.
By Yobesh Onwong’a