The Department of Trade, Tourism, and Culture of Mombasa County has launched a new football tournament known as ‘Cheza Ball Epuka Mihadarati’.
The tourney, which started on Sunday, will run until December 31st. The trade docket, in collaboration with the Mombasa County Football Association (MCFA), an organisation that oversees tournaments and leagues around Mombasa, will be responsible for managing the tournament and ensuring its smooth operation.
The department has brought together six teams representing each constituency within Mombasa County, with each sub-county represented by 25 best players selected by five coaches who will oversee the combined teams.
The purpose of the combined teams is to enable youth to engage themselves in useful acts during this holiday season.
The overarching objective of the tournament is to protect the youths from the risks and effects of drug abuse in society.
The move is part of the ongoing efforts by Mombasa County to curb rising cases of drug abuse among the youth.
“If we let our youth be idle during this holiday period, then the possibility of them engaging in drug abuse will increase. We are grateful to the department for coming up with this idea, as it will help our youth to stay safe and active,” said Goshi Alliy, the Chairman of MCFA.
Alliy encouraged the residents of Mombasa to attend the matches and support the teams as they compete in the tournament while fighting for a drug-free society.
The tournament has two groups: group A, which includes Likoni, Kisauni, and Changamwe, while group B features Jomvu, Nyali, and Mvita.
The first match played at Mwahima Stadium in Likoni on Sunday saw Kisauni defeat Likoni with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a goal by Brian Moraya.
Semi-finals will begin on December 28th and 29th, with the first semifinal featuring the winner of Group A against the runner-up of Group B, while the second semifinal will see the winner of Group B face the runner-up of Group A.
Following the semifinals, the tournament will advance to a final match on December 31st between the winners.
By Abdulrahman Shariff
