Inua Vijana Peace tournament enter final round in Narok South

Chebila foundation founder Nelly Chepkemoi (left) presents a playing uniform to a Warriors FC player as Inua Vijana Peace Tournament Founder Naftal Kirui (right) looks on during the tournament finals for Sogoo ward at Tendwet playground. [Courtesy]

Sixteen football teams have qualified for the final round of the inaugural ‘Inua Vijana Peace Tournament’ that is slated for this weekend at different playgrounds in Narok South sub county, Narok county.

The tournament is sponsored by tournament founder Naftal Kirui, America Junior Foundation Founder Shadrack Sankei, who have been pillars towards the success of the tournament alongside notable friends and members of Narok county assembly from Melelo, Sogoo, Ololulunga and Segamian wards.

According to tournament founder, Naftal Kirui, the knockout stages will kick-off on Saturday while the semi-finals and finals will be played on Sunday at Nkaroni playground.

The teams have been pooled into four groups as fireworks are expected in the preliminaries stages as teams battle for top honours.

At Nkaroni field, host Nkaroni FC are in Pool A and will battle it with  Olepolos FC, Koseka and Super Eagles.

The evergreen Kapkatet FC under the tutelage of  Isaiah Kipkorir Sang will lead the onslaught in Pool B and will face Olenkanae and Galaxy FC and will play at Sogoo sports grounds.

At Olashapani playground, Olmegenyu FC will clash with Osotua, Napoli Loita and Enkongu Enkare in Pool C.

The last knock out group stage will be at Tendwet field where the host Warriors FC will hope to capitalize on home ground advantage and that will be determined by the way they handle Wolves FC, a stubborn Ololulunga FC and neighbours Kimogoro FC.

More than 78 teams drawn from the six wards of the sub counties took part in the preliminaries that started a month ago.

Kirui said the aim of the competition is sensitizing the various communities on the need for peaceful co-existence.

He added that sporting activities offer a platform to the youths from the different ethnic backgrounds to interact and share their diverse cultural beliefs so as to become tolerant to each other.

“Apart from encouraging young people to maintain peace, we will also tap young talents among the youths by urging them to exploit it and divert their attention against social vices,” he said.

The winners will pocket Sh200,000 while runners-up will go home Sh100,000 richer as those in third position will walk away with Sh50,000.

The best athletes will also be awarded in 200M, 400 M,800M, 4X100M and 4X400M races.

The final match will be graced by Narok governor Patrick ole Ntutu, former Narok governor Samuel Tunai,Narok South legislator Kitilai ole Ntutu, Narok County executive member in charge of Public Service Management and Labour Josephine Ngeno and her Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Gender, Culture & Social Services counterpart Robert Simotwo Rotich among other dignitaries.