LOFTY DREAMS: SportPesa Super 8 tournament to graduate to national league next year, says founder

Chief guest and Deputy Governor Nairobi Jonathan Muweke, right, and CEO Super Eight Mohamed Hussein present a jersey to Sebastian Kioli of Diguna FC during Jersey presentation to teams at City Stadium, Nairobi, on Monday, May 18th, 2015. Photo/ JONAH ONYANGO.

The SportPesa Super 8 tournament will next year graduate to a full fledge national league.

Addressing teams taking part in the event at the Nairobi City Stadium on Monday, Hussein Mohammed, the chief executive officer of Extreme Sports, who are the organisers, said more regions will join in the popular tournament currently played in Nairobi.

Hussein said there was no loser in the tournament as everybody is a winner in one way or the other.

Extreme Sports and SportPesa used the occasion to kit the teams taking part in this year’s tournament being held across Nairobi County. Each of the 100 teams received kit and balls.

Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke, who presented the kit, said no team should be intimidated concerning their tournament of choice by various football stakeholders.

“SportPesa Super 8 is a tournament that is helping to tap talent in this country. I urge all to give it a helping hand to grow,” Mueke said.

Sports Commissioner Gordon Oluoch pledged continued Government support for the tournament, saying the state will work hand in hand with Extreme Sports and SportPesa to make the tournament a success.

SportPesa Chief Marketing Officer Kester Shimonyo said the partnership would be expanded next year to give more room to other teams that were left out this season.

“Already Nyanza and Coast have been incorporated and will join the league next year. Other four provinces will be considered soon for the tournament,” said Mohammed.

POTENTIAL TALENTS

Third and fourth place finals are slated for this weekend at various grounds in Nairobi. Constituency finals will commence from next weekend. A total of Sh1.43 million is up for grabs as prize money with the overall winners walking home with Sh500,000.

Constituency winners will each get Sh60,000, runner-up Sh15,000 while third and fourth place finalists will each bag Sh10,000.

“The overall winners of the tournament will get Sh500,000, runner-up will pocket Sh250,000 and third place Sh100,000.

“We thank SportPesa for coming on board to sponsor the tournament which strives to unearth potential football talents in all corners of the city,” said Mohammed.

Embakasi constituency final will be an all-Kayole affair after Kayole Asubuhi and Kayole Youth beat their respective opponents to make it to the finals.

Kamukunji constituency final will pit Kiambiu Youth against perennial rivals Shauri Moyo Blue Stars who registered their semi-final wins at the Godown ground.

Finalists in Makadara Constituency are Jericho All Stars and Makongeni Sports Association who will compete for top honours in the zone.

Kasarani constituency finalists are Lucky Summer FC and Baba Dogo United. Lucky Summer beat Metro Sports 3-1 to book the finals berth, while Baba Dogo United edged Githurai Sports 2-1 to sail through to the final.

Finalists in the west side of Nairobi County include Shamako Babes who are poised to tackle Kabete United in the Westlands Constituency finals.

Contestants for Starehe Constituency finals are Kiamaiko City, who are out to stop Technical University of Kenya from lifting the crown.

Langata constituency finalists are Diguna FC against Toi Market.

Melta Kabiria will face off stubborn Kawangware United in expected mouthwatering Dagoreti constituency finals at Posta Grounds along Ngong’ Road.