All set for Safaricom Chapa Dimba finals in Vihiga County

Bishop Njenga Girls’ celebrate their victory over Ibinzo Girls during the final match of Chapa Dimba tournament Western Region at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Safaricom Chapa Dimba football tournament is set to hold the first county finals in Vihiga County this weekend.

Finalists Ebwali Boys and Bunyore Assassins will lock horns in the Boys Category while Madira Girls will go head-to-head to with the Maroon Queens on Saturday at Mumboha Stadium in Luanda.

“We are glad to be back on the pitch and look forward to discovering new talent during this fourth season of Safaricom Chapa Dimba. Launching the county finals in the Western region was a given because of the interest shown going by the number of teams that registered to participate; almost triple the number from the third season.

“When many young people hope for a career in football, it is only natural that we give them a platform to explore their talent,” said Chris Amimo, FKF Tournament Director.

The Vihiga finals will be followed by Busia, Kakamega and Bungoma County finals the following weekend.

County winners will proceed to play at the Western regional finals to be held in the historic Bukhungu Stadium later in the month.

The Western region kicked off in June at ward level, featuring a total of 441 teams. Among the four counties, Kakamega had the highest number of teams with 162, followed by Bungoma (152), Busia (64), and Vihiga (63).

"We started at the ward and sub-county levels. As we now proceed to the county finals in anticipation for the regional finals, I can attest that the talent at the grassroots level is remarkable.

“After Western, we move to Nyanza region as we spread out to other regions across the country. We continue to scout some of the best talents from these grassroot games giving them a chance even if their teams do not make it to the regional and national finals," said Mr. Amimo.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba aims to provide a structured platform for scouts and coaches to tap into new talent and build feeder systems for the Kenyan football leagues across the country while also training a total of 250 coaches. The football tournament targets young people aged between 16 and 20 years old.