Raiser Youth, Nairobi Primary shine in Sara Cup

Raiser Youth edged Plus Dagoretti 5-4 on post match penalties, after a barren draw in regular time, to lift the teams football title in the fourth edition of Sara Cup held at the Nairobi Primary School Grounds at the weekend.

In the schools football category, Nairobi Primary beat Westlands Primary 2-0 and 1-0 to win the boys and girls titles in that order.

The APHRC dazzled in the staff football contest, edging Dignitas 3-2 to triumph in the hotly contested finals.

In other competitions, Plus Dagoretti won the volleyball title after topping the round-robin encounter, with Bunyala Girls finishing second as Dignitas completed the podium finish.

Zizi Afrique were invincible in handball as they cruised to the final to beat Friends of Sara in the cutthroat showdown.

The annual tournament, initiated in 2020, is held in honour of a renowned Kenyan educationist and celebrated researcher Dr. Sara Ruto, for her dedication to improving learning outcomes of children  furthest left behind.

It is a culmination of several other charitable events specifically aimed at raising funds to educate the marginalized child.

The offshoot and component of Tenda Wema Initiative seeks out the needy but not necessarily brainy children, the ones left behind, who are largely invisible in the numerous school scholarships and bursary schemes.

“The tournament is for us who are engaged in raising funds for the needy, to have fun and celebrate the efforts we are doing to help the unfortunate and appreciate those who have embraced this course,”games patron Sara Ruto told Standard Sports.

"This is a call to give so that all children may go to school and learn. It is centered on the firm belief that citizens have agency and they must act with urgency. We therefore continue to invite individuals and corporates to join us in this venture," she added.

The 2024 edition of the tournament seeked to raise Sh 3.5 million so as to increase the number of children under their scheme.

The initiative  started with two scholars in 2021 and now has 108 students and learners  across various education levels with 22 in primary, 64 in secondary while 22 others are in tertiary institutions and ten others have completed their education and five currently employed.