MASALANI– Garissa County Assembly Speaker, Abdi Idle, presided over the inaugural Speaker Abdi Idle Eid Cup in Masalani today, a sports event aimed at nurturing youth talent and promoting unity and peace in the region.

The event, which took place in the spirit of Eid-ul-Fitr, brought together local communities to celebrate sportsmanship and foster stronger social bonds.

Speaking at the event, Speaker Abdi Idle highlighted the power of sports as a constructive engagement for youth and a platform to showcase their skills. “Sports can be a powerful tool for change. It’s a constructive engagement for the youth and offers them a platform to showcase their skills and talents, while strengthening the social fabric of society,” he said.

The event featured an exciting football final between Masalani United and Kotile United. The match was a thrilling encounter, with Masalani United emerging as the victors with a narrow 1-0 win.

The final brought together players, families, and spectators, creating a festive atmosphere that reflected the values of Eid-ul-Fitr—fostering community bonds and unity.

PICTURES: Garissa County Assembly Speaker, Abdi Idle, hosted the inaugural Speaker Abdi Idle Eid Cup in Masalani today, bringing together local communities through an exciting football final.

Masalani United emerged victorious in a 1-0 win against Kotile United. The event… pic.twitter.com/kSUkILVdkj

— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) March 30, 2025

Following the final, Speaker Abdi Idle hosted an award ceremony where he honored the winning team and the best players with trophies and cash prizes. The event was a culmination of not only a competitive match but also a celebration of talent, teamwork, and community spirit.

Earlier in the day, Speaker Abdi Idle participated in the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the Masalani Eid Grounds, joining thousands of residents in marking the occasion. In his speech, he condemned the recent security forces’ brutality against innocent residents of Hadi, calling for a peaceful resolution to the tensions.

“I strongly condemn the recent brutality of the security forces against innocent residents of Hadi. However, I urge community members not to harbor resentment against the security agencies but instead to actively collaborate by sharing information, fostering trust, and participating in community-based initiatives that promote resilience and counter violent extremism,” said Speaker Abdi Idle.

The Speaker’s remarks emphasized the importance of unity, cooperation, and collective responsibility in ensuring lasting peace and security in the region.

The Eid Cup, which brought together the community through sport, was a step towards achieving these goals, showing how sports can play a vital role in strengthening community relations and promoting peace.