By Reuben Olita
Soccer fans of English Premier League side Manchester United from Budalang’i lifted the inaugural soccer title organized by a group of primary and secondary school teachers led by Kennedy Ochieno.
The friendly matches involved fans of top EPL clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U, and other clubs whose rivalry has taken the Kenyan soccer scene by storm with some fans committing suicide whenever their favourite clubs falter in the EPL.
The event that attracted a mammoth crowd drawn from across Bunyala Sub County was held at St Benedict Budalangi High School.
The highlight of the event was the final match between Man U and their archrivals Chelsea, which Man U won 2-0 in the match officiated by Okumu Opamo.
Both goals were scored by Man U prolific striker Alfred
Amollo Maga, thus shattering Chelsea fans’ hopes of lifting their maiden title.
One of the sponsors Kennedy Ochieno has advised players to maintain discipline if they intend to progresss in the sport, and which will attract the attention of the Ministry of Sports headed by Ababu Namwamba as the CS, who started Talanta Hela program geared towards nurturing talents.
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Participating teams received various awards. Winners Man U received a trophy and Ksh10,000. Runners-up Chelsea were awarded Ksh8,000.
Top scorer Alfred Maga of Man U and best goalkeeper Nick Kamerino of Chelsea also received cash awards from the sponsors.
Sponsors of the tournament have promised to stage the second edition before December 2023 by involving the Ministry of Sports with a view to tapping talents that abound in the region.
