By Reuben Olita
Malaba Giants, which is participating in Division Two league pipped County league side FC Amagoro 1-0 in a special friendly match at Amagoro Primary School grounds on the eve of Christmas.
The exhibition match, officiated by James Omunyin and watched by hundreds of soccer lovers, had followed a ceremony where the two teams were kitted with full uniforms and boots by the Principal Administrative Secretary in the Executive Office of the President Arthur Osiya through the Evans Osiya Foundation.
Giants overcame the spirited FC Amagoro with the solitary goal through Philip Okudam in the 15th minute that caught the agile FC Amagoro goalkeeper Norbert Wangalwa off guard.
FC Amagoro were kitted with their traditional blue jerseys reminiscent of English Premier League Chelsea with Giants also kitted with red Jerseys that is famous with another English side Liverpool.
Giants head to Kakamega County today to represent Teso North Sub county in the finals of Cleo Malala inter-sub counties finals in Kakamega County.
They achieved the feat after beating Kekalet, which is participating in the Busia County league 1-0 in the finals in Rwatama.
Mr Osiya, who was a chief guest during a special friendly match, said the foundation spent Ksh370,000 to purchase uniforms and boots for six clubs, including Giants, FC Amagoro, Moding and Kakurikit.
Mr Osiya added that he has discovered potential talents in the area and urged top league clubs to send their scouts to Teso and Busia County at large for players whose teams are participating in various cadre of leagues from sub county to Division Two.
The player who caught Mr Osiya’s eye was FC Amagoro striker Cyprian Andrew, who was voted the best player of the match owing to his brilliance devoid of retaliation.
He advised players to embrace the good sports spirit of fair play and principles of sports roots where we have to respect opponents, officials, teammates, and self (roots).
Meanwhile, the PAS has warned sportsmen and sportswomen against engaging in drug abuse lest they become guests of rehabilitation centres.
” I will take you to rehabilitation centre if you are found engaging in substance abuse like bang, Jabba, and chang’aa.You play without seeing the ball after taking hot drinks and you see three balls instead of one,” Mr Osiya told the players of the two teams before kick-off.
” Instead of engaging in substance abuse, you need to play natural, do your diet, practice, and do your hard work, and you will achieve your cherished dreams,” Osiya said.
He added: ” I will continue supporting sports in the sub county in whatever way I can through the support of other leaders. We need to nurture talents that abound in the county.”
Those who watched the thrilling encounter included Members of the County Assembly Patrick Omanyala (Malaba North), Joseph Eseme ( Angurai South), Gardy Jakaa (Bukhayo North/Walatsi), chairman Lake Victoria North Water Services Board John Imoite and former MCAs Maurice Chetambe ( Angurai North) and Benard Papa ( Malaba Central).
