Football Kenya Federation Nakuru branch chairman Francis Oliele hopes to build on last weekend’s Betpawa football tournament as they seek to get youth off societal vices.
Oliele said Nakuru has a big criminal gangs problem and such tournaments will give them a perfect diversion away from crime.
“Nakuru has an issue with criminal gangs and that is where we are losing tens of youths with great talent. But with sponsors like Betpawa, these talents will be put to good use,” he said.
“Nakuru is endowed with great talents and there are great sportsmen from this city, especially from the ghetto, who have flown the Kenyan flag high. What we lack is the moral and financial support.”
Over the weekend, 35 teams participated in a two-day six aside where Fagarian Peoples Football Club emerged the winners, beating Everstars and Nakuru Griffons on goal difference after the three teams bagged six points each. For their efforts, Fagarian received Sh200,000 while the runners-up pocketed Sh100,000.
Fagarian Tom Aston Onyango was the tournament’s most valuable player while Javan Otieno of Nakuru Griffons was named the best goalkeeper. Brian Wairimu, the tournament organiser, said this was the third edition of the tournament, which had previously toured Nairobi and Kisumu.
“We had 104 teams registered for the tournament in Nakuru but due to logistical challenges, we could not accommodate all of them in one tournament,” he said.
