By Abdimalik Hajir

They have never ventured outside their villages in Ijara but they are now in the national spotlight to represent Kenya in East Africa games after emerging winners in the primary soccer tournament.

Northeastern region became this year’s winners after beating central 3-0 to emerge winners, an achievement the official said was raw talents, collective support by local leadership and education officials.

The team had earlier thrashed Western region 5-0 in semi-finals.

Ijara was thrown into a celebration frenzy following the news that young learners from the areas have emerged top in the national soccer thrashing their competitors in the finals played in Musingu high school in Kakamega on Saturday.

Ijara sub-county’s games chairman Abdikadir Ali Gedi also known as Bamburi said the achievement by the young stars did not come in a silver plate but a period of practice as well as constant support and motivation.

“Some of the players have clubs that play leagues within Ijara sub-county, they have sharpened their skills over time besides doing well in classwork too, this achievement did not come by surprise to us,” he told Frontier Online yesterday.

The current sub-county director of education, the head teacher noted, has given 100percent including material and time to ensure young learners achieve in both academic and co-curricular activities.

Bamburi who is also head teacher Masalani Girls primary and junior school noted that given a chance and opportunity some players are good to play in Kenya’s national teams.

He said representing Kenya in the East Africa games is a dream come true for the team noting that they are also aiming to make Kenya proud by winning the East Africa games 13th August in Kakamega’s Musingu high school.

The officials also hailed the area member of parliament Abdi Ali Abdi whom they said have fully given the team his full support and motivation, the lawmaker had sponsored the team with lunch and dinner as well as refreshment during the tournaments from sub-county up to the national level.

The Mp who visited the team at Musingu high school in Kakamega to celebrate with young stars also sponsored four officials who accompanied the team to the national games.

“I remain committed to supporting youth talent and investing in sports development throughout our constituency, you have made Ijara and Kenya Proud,” the Mp wrote in his x account.

He added that young players have shown through discipline and hard work that talent exists in the constituency that are often overlooked.

Ijara Sub-county representative for Kenya Primary schools Head Teachers (Kepsha) Ahmed Ali Mursal said the young players have shown their talents, noting that there are hidden talents out there if nurtured.

“Ijara have shown the world they can also play football, given an opportunity and conducive environment they can perform exemplary well in not only football but any other field, ” said Mursal who is also head teacher Hara primary and Junior school.

Northeastern, often neglected by successive governments in terms of school infrastructure have been performing dismally in the national examinations which has been attributed to lack of teachers amongst other challenges.

The last time the region won the national games was in 2009.