Bondeni FC and Divas win anti- gender-based tournament

Bondeni FC pose for a photograph before winning Anti-Gender Based Violence football tournament 2-0 against St Joseph FC in Eldoret yesterday. [Peter Ochieng]

Bondeni FC and Bondeni Divas were crowned the champions of the anti-Gender Based Violence (GBV) tournament played at Bishop Delany High School in Eldoret yesterday evening.

The two teams, who train together, surprised football and ladies’ fans as Bondeni FC won the men’s title while Bondeni Divas won the women’s title in a tournament that attracted over ten teams.

Ian Kiptanui ,18, and Emmanuel Brian, 17, scored a goal each at the finals for Bondeni to beat St. Joseph 2-0 in the men’s final match.

Kiptanui, who was the man of the match, beat St. Joseph’s keeper Nimrod Kiplagat after receiving a pass from Brian Kibet in the 10th minute.

Few minutes later as the celebration was still on, Brian capitalised on a defensive lapse when Kibet collided with defender Alvin Odhiambo to give the former an easy scoring chance.

“I’m happy for teh win. We were well prepared and all my team mates were fit for the match.

[Peter Ochieng]

Kiptanui praised the tournament organiszers saying such events would bring the people together especially this time of politics.

“I have learnt a lot since we started engaging in this football events, ” Kiptanui told Standard Sports after the tournament.

Brian emerged the tournament’s top scorer after netting eight goals in the four matches they played.

In the women’s category, Bondeni Divas were crowned the champions after collecting all points in the round-robin tournament. The Divas collected six with ten goals ahead of Espodec who finished second with four points. Kipkaren Divas finished third on goal difference after picking four points too.

Women Representative Uasin Gishu County Football Association Charity Wang’oma said they came out with such initiative as a way of promoting peace among communities in the region.