Image: HANDOUT
Vihiga County boys’ side wrung out a hard-fought 5-2 win over pre-match favourites Homa Bay as the Talanta Hela U-19 national tournament kicked off at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Austin Odongo led Vihiga with a brace while Vincent Otieno, Nelson Ombeva and Derrick Oketch added one each. Cecil Miller and Ben Ogutu struck for the losers.
Busia walloped Kakamega 4-0 in the girls’ opening Group A match courtesy of goals from Diania Anyango (brace), Fauda Sharon and Faith Lorna.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba termed the initiative a huge success.
“Today is the culmination of a journey we started on August 15 at Kip Keino Stadium in Eldoret with the regional championships. I want to pay tribute to all the counties that have participated in the first edition of this tournament,” Namwamba said.
“We want to give every single boy and girl across the country the opportunity to have their talent identified, nurtured, and monetised through the Talanta Hela initiative.”
Namwamba tipped the country to scale unprecedented heights as long as efficient youth development structures are in place.
“Given an opportunity, the youth of this country have what it takes to take our sports to the next level. Our sports us back to life. Our Rugby Sevens team has just conquered Africa and qualified for the Olympic Games. Malkia Strikers have conquered Africa to qualify for the Olympic Games too.”
“Our football is getting back, both the men’s and women’s teams. The Junior Stars are causing waves at the Cecafa Under-18 football tournament,” he remarked.
The stage for the national finals was set following a draw held by the Ministry of Sports on Thursday night at the Talanta Plaza headquarters in Nairobi, where 16 boys and 16 girls teams were divided into four groups of four.
Thursday’s draw came a fortnight after the inter-county playoffs staged at the Moi Complex Primary School in Nyeri.
The boys’ Group ‘A’ comprises Garissa, Kericho, Vihiga and Homabay while Group ‘B’ has Nyeri, Baringo, Kisumu and Nyamira.
Mombasa, Marsabit, West Pokot, and Kirinyaga are in Group ‘C’ while Kiambu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and Makueni are in Group ‘D’.
The girls’ Group ‘A’ has Kakamega, Kwale, Busia and Nandi while Group ‘B’ has Wajir, West Pokot Homabay and Kisii.
Group ‘C’ comprises Nyeri, Samburu, Kisumu, and Nairobi while Kitui, Machakos, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru are in Group ‘D’.
After group phase two top teams from each group will advance to the round of 16.
Preliminary matches will be staged at Kirigiti, Jamhuri Grounds, Moi Stadium, Kasarani with the final slated for December 12 at Nyayo Stadium. The winners will pocket a Sh5 million prize purse.