The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing football talent in the Coast region by investing in Bandari Football Club (FC) and setting ambitious goals for the team’s future.
Bandari FC, sponsored by KPA, is the sole team from the Coast region in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League. The Dockers are in position nine in the league standings.
Speaking at the Mbaraki Sports for an Iftar dinner for the club’s stakeholders, KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto expressed his satisfaction with the team’s outstanding performance in the league and for enhancing the Authority image as their sole sponsors.
“We have an opportunity to perform even better,” he said, thanking the solid fan base for their continued support of the team,” he said, adding that the team doesn’t belong to KPA alone but it’s for the community and the coastal region as a whole.
Capt. Ruto thanked the government for a facelift of the Mbaraki Sports Club at a cost of Sh300 million.
“This is the team that we are proud of. Recently, the government assisted us by allocating funds for the renovation of Mbaraki Sports. This is the home base ground for Bandari FC. I don’t think there is a better ground than Bandari’s. I also don’t think the teams you’re competing with have a ground like ours,” said Ruto.
He challenged the team to do more practice and be dedicated to be at the top of the FKF Premier League standings
“According to the technical team, the newly signed players. They have informed me that this year they expect to be position one,” said Capt. Ruto.
The KPA managing director affirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting the Bandari youth team to ensure a steady supply of players for the senior team.
“As an authority, we will support you so that we clinch this year’s FKF league title,” he reiterated Capt. Ruto.
Ahead of their crucial fixture against 11th-placed Ulinzi Stars, Capt. Ruto urged the players to secure a vital home win at Mbaraki Sports Club.
To motivate the players, KPA has promised the team a state-of-the-art bus if they finish among the top three in the league this season.
“I want to affirm that the process of purchasing a bus will start this week. We will deliberate with your officials to determine how best we can get the bus because it will reduce a lot of expenses,” said Capt. Ruto.
“Most of the time, you board a train, but if we have our bus, we will be able to depart and arrive on time, rest and train ahead of the matches. Where there is a will, there is a way,” he added.
Bandari FC CEO, Tony Kibwana noted that sports give the youths hope to nurture their talents to their advantage and discipline.
“There are many challenges in society, but youths have been engaged in sports, distracting them from indecorous activities,” he said, urging the team to work hard to ensure they get trophies at the end of the season.
Bandari Vice Chairman Twaha Mbarak said the event united football enthusiasts. He expressed optimism that in the upcoming march in the Mozzart Bet Cup, they will edge past Gor Mahia to increase their chances of clinching the coveted cup.
By Sadik Hassan
