Fortune smiles on Kisumu City Stars as Tujiamini Initiative concludes in Nyanza Region
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| Sep 23, 2024
Kisumu City Stars have emerged as the latest qualifiers for the highly anticipated Tujiamini Cheza Dimba nationwide contest, following a dominant performance in the Nyanza regional competition.
The tournament, which was held at the iconic Moi Stadium in Kisumu, saw the Stars overcome a slow start to eventually stamp their authority with resounding victories.
In the first semi-final, Kisumu City Stars found their rhythm and delivered an emphatic 3-0 win over Sparks FC.
The victory set the stage for a tense final against local rivals Kisumu Greenlands, who had battled to a goalless draw with Mawego FC in the second semi-final.
The final match was a closely contested affair, but it was Njera Odoyo’s first-half goal that made the difference, earning Kisumu City Stars the win and securing their place in the national tournament.
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Team captain Tonnington Atinga expressed his delight after the match, commending his players for their solid performance throughout the competition.
"It feels great to win the tournament, and I am proud of the players for sealing the win. The quality of play was good, and we felt challenged by the competitiveness brought by other teams," Atinga said.
The victory not only booked Kisumu City Stars a spot in the forthcoming Tujiamini Cheza Dimba nationwide tournament but also brought them a major sponsorship deal. The team secured an annual sponsorship worth Sh250,000 for three years, which includes new home and away kits.
This financial boost is a significant win for Kisumu City Stars, a club that is eyeing promotion to the National Super League within the next three years.
Kisumu City Stars CEO, Dominic Mala, welcomed the sponsorship, emphasizing how crucial it is for the club's sustainability.
"The club depends entirely on well-wishers. This sponsorship is a welcome addition to our resource base, which will go a long way in motivating and helping the team to meet fixture obligations, including the welfare of the players," Mala stated.
He also praised the Tujiamini Initiative for its efforts to elevate grassroots football and nurture local talent.
Meanwhile, the event also highlighted the importance of female participation in the competition. SportPesa representative Mercy Kabui acknowledged the strides made in encouraging women’s teams to participate in Cheza Dimba tournaments.
“We have faced challenges with low female participation in previous Cheza Dimba tournaments. We intend to grow the level of female participation in the coming months and encourage entries from all interested women’s clubs in South Rift, which is the next region of focus for Tujiamini Initiative,” Kabui noted.
In the women's competition, Uhola Queens secured a 1-0 victory over Warembo All Stars, with Vanessa Atieno netting the decisive goal in the final. For their efforts, Uhola Queens walked away with a cash prize of Sh50,000, as well as playing kits.
The Tujiamini Initiative now moves to the South Rift region, with applications already underway and set to close at the end of the month.
As the nationwide tournament draws closer, Kisumu City Stars and the other regional champions will be gearing up to compete on the national stage, hoping to continue their impressive form.