Emmanuel Masinde @PeopleSport11
Eldoret ASK Showgrounds will play host to the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Rift region finals this weekend.
The games will see eight youth teams from Rift battle it out for the region’s supremacy and a chance to play in the national finals set for June in Meru County.
Solidarity boys from Trans Nzoia will play Al Ahly from Kajiado while Narok’s White Rhino FC take on Tumkas Boys from Uasin Gishu in the boys’ semi-finals. In the girls’ category, Itigo from Nandi will face Bomet Queens as Kitale Queens from Trans Nzoia meet Nakuru West Queens.
“The teams are ready and we are set for the weekend. We have had competitive games with a crop of new teams coming into the limelight.
A lot at stake
We expect very entertaining football over the weekend and hope the regional winners will again emerge champions in the national finals like last year,” said Evans Omondi, Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Rift Valley region coordinator.
Regional winners will receive a cash reward of Sh200,000 each and join Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints from Western, Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza as well as Super Solico and St Mary’s Ndovea from Eastern in the national finals.
The runners-up will pocket Sh100,000 each among other individual prizes with the competition aimed at scouting for youth talent, developing grassroots football and ultimately propelling gifted players to the national team.
This year, an all-star team will be selected to attend a training camp in Spain during which they will play against local youth sides.
