A total of 19 teams (both men and women) have confirmed participation in the Eldoret City Open tournament set for Eldoret Sports Club on December 3-4.
The tourney has attracted 11 men's teams and eight in the women's cadre. According to the patron of the inaugural competition, Paul Bitok, they expect more teams to come on board by November 30 deadline.
Those who have confirmed participation are OBB (Uganda), Rwandair (Rwanda), Forest Rangers, Kenya Defence Forces, Prison Eldoret and Vihiga in the men's division.
Others are Vihiga, Kenya Ports Authority, General Service Unit, UGC (Uasingishu), Equity Bank and Ere Nee Chitab Kalenjin (Australian Group).
Women teams are— KCB, Vihiga, KDF, Kenya Pipeline, KIU-(Tanzania), UGC, Cheptil and Post Bank.
"We want to leave a mark in the first edition by making this one of the most well-organized tournaments around. We are waiting for the Prison teams to confirm and more international sides," he revealed.
Bitok, who doubles up as national women's coach said: "This competition has the potential to become one of the best in East Africa and we want to grow together with Eldoret as a city."
Bitok, however, expects the maximum number of teams in each category to be 16. "Matches will be played in pool format depending on the number of entries. 16 teams are manageable and will make the competition more attractive."
Registration for clubs is Sh5,000, Colleges and Universities Sh 2,000 and schools and Self-supporting teams Sh1,500.
The technical meeting will be held on December 2 and will be attended by team managers and coaches. Draws will be conducted at Starbucks Hotel.
A week later, the second edition of the Heroes tournament will take place at Koitalel Arap Samoei University in Nandi county.
