Sh500,000 up for grabs as Nairobi Cup begins

Country Marketing Manager Odibets Aggrey Sayi during the launch of Odi Mtaani Nairobi Cup on Thursday, March 5, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Nairobi County is set up for an epic two month’s football action following the launch of the OdiMtaani Nairobi Cup.

The tournament, sponsored by betting firm Odibets, whose finals will be held on May 3 at Camp Toyoyo Grounds, has attracted a total number of 140 teams from Nairobi West and Nairobi East.

The winners of the tournament to be played on a knock-out format will walk away with Sh 500,000 in prize money, while the first, second and third runners up will pocket Sh 300,000, Sh 200,000 and Sh 100,000 respectively.

There will also be individual awards to be won with the best player, top scorer and best goalkeeper receiving Sh 30,000 each.

Speaking during the launch of the event in Nairobi yesterday, Odibets Country Marketing Manager Aggrey Sayi reiterated his company’s commitment to nurture the untapped talent in the country.

 “Through this tournament, we hope to harness and foster the immense untapped potential that our grassroots teams have. As we start this journey, we take pride in youth development and believe that our brand resonates with the needs of the clubs that are set to participate in this tournament,” said Sayi.

“The tournament is set to help nurture raw football talent from the grassroots to national and international levels.”

Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa lauded Odibets contribution to the game.

 “Today, we once again mark an important milestone in Kenyan football with the coming of this partnership which is a major boost to grassroots football,” said Mwendwa.

“This tournament is bound to expose our players at the grassroots to serious competitions and the hype that always goes with such a tournament to help catapult them to higher advance levels of football.”

Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno said: “We need to leave a lasting legacy in the game. It wasn’t easy to have such tournaments during my playing days, but I’m glad the current generation have an opportunity to nurture their skills through competitions like this.”