MANDERA– Principal Secretary in the State Department of Youth and Creative Economy Ismail Maalim Madey on Sunday concluded a month long football tournament in Mandera County.
The first phase of the tournament targeted three sub-counties Mandera South, Banisa Constituency and Takaba in Mandera West and saw 66 clubs participated, with all teams provided with full kits, including 18 jerseys, socks, and a football.
The winning team from each sub-county was awarded a trophy and Ksh 200,000. The first runners-up received Ksh 100,000, while the second runners-up took home Ksh 50,000.
Top scorer, golden gloves and player of the tournament were equally awarded as we seek to identify, nurture and monetize talent and skill youth @NYC_YouthVoice pic.twitter.com/3y6iGQciuN
— Ismail Maalim (@IsmailMaalim19) September 15, 2024
Additionally, the top scorer and best player from each sub-county was recognized with a trophy and Ksh 10,000, while the best goalkeepers received a trophy and Ksh 5,000.
According the office of the PS the Main reason for the tournament was to provide young people with positive and engaging activities during their school break, keeping them occupied from risky behaviors such as drug abuse and delinquency.
In Mandera South Constituency Tiger FC won on penalty against White City.
In Banisa Constituency the finals was between All Stars FC and Safaricom FC, Safaricom FC won on penalties, and in Takaba, Mandera West Constituency Lagsure FC won on penalties against blue rangers.
PS Ismail Maalim, accompanied by MPs Abdul Haro (Mandera South), Adan Haji (Mandera West) award a cheque to LAGSURE FC. Photo/Frontier Online.
Speaking to the press at the conclusion of the tournament PS Ismail Maalim Madey said the tournament was meant to nurture and monetize talent and skill youth.
“Every talent identified in every part of this country it’s doesn’t go to waste, to do that we have developed a flagship program under our ministry called Talenta Hela, which means making money out of talent” said PS Ismail.
Areas leaders who accompanied the PS lauded him for the timely initiative of engaging the youth in sports development and asked him to roll the Same program in other sub-counties.
According to detailed program seen by Frontier Online, the second phase of PS Ismail tournament is set to kick off December and the sub-counties that are set to benefit from it are: Lafey Constituency, Mandera East , and Rhamu in Mandera North.
