The third edition of the annual Governor Natembeya Cup in Trans Nzoia County is set to feature sitting volleyball for athletes with disabilities, alongside the highly anticipated football tournaments for both men and women.
Governor George Natembeya stated that the addition would be a significant step toward promoting inclusivity, providing athletes with disabilities the opportunity to compete on equal footing with their peers. The tournament will kick off on December 12 at Gituamba Primary School in the Saboti constituency.
“We are especially proud to be inclusive by introducing sitting volleyball for our brothers and sisters living with disabilities, who will showcase their talents during the final of the football tournament to be held on December 24 at Ndura Sports Complex,” Governor Natembeya said during the tournament’s media briefing.
In the football category, 250 teams are expected to participate from the 25 wards of the county, with the tournament playing a key role in fostering talent at the grassroots level.
“The tournament will feature a mix of male and female athletes, with each ward fielding 8 male teams and 2 female teams. This tournament has proven to be a powerful platform for showcasing the immense sports talent that exists within Trans Nzoia,” Governor George Natembeya said.
The winning team will receive one million Kenyan shillings as the county champion, while the first runner-up will earn seven hundred and fifty thousand Kenyan shillings. The second runner-up will be awarded five hundred thousand Kenyan shillings, and the third runner-up will take home two hundred and fifty thousand Kenyan shillings.
“At the ward level, the winning team will take home Sh 20,000, with the first runner-up receiving Sh 10,000 and the second runner-up earning Sh 5,000. This tournament has proven to be a powerful platform for showcasing the immense sports talent that exists within Trans Nzoia,” said the Governor.
The Trans Nzoia County chairman of the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) Isaac Munene said the federation will support the tournament by providing the necessary environment to ensure it aligns with football rules and regulations, while also serving as an avenue for scouts to identify and tap into emerging talent.
“We will not just be there as regulators; we will also bring scouts from across the country to identify sporting talents who can secure positions in various clubs at all league levels. We welcome this initiative, as it plays a significant role in promoting the growth of football in this county,” said Mr. Munene.
