Owalo’s Super Cup tournament to promote talent in Nyanza

Dec 28, 2023 - 12:20

Players engage in a ball tackle during a tight match pitting Kisumu Combined FC and Siaya Combined FC at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo on Wednesday. Kisumu Combined FC edged Siaya Combined FC 3-0 to secure a ticket to the Eliud Owalo Super Cup 2023 finals. (Photo by Chris Mahandara).

Kisumu,

Thursday, December 28, 2023

KNA by Robert Ojwang’

Information, Communication and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo is keen to partner with sports stakeholders to revive the Nyanza region’s lost glory in soccer.

Owalo affirmed that the Eliud Owalo Super Cup tournament, 2023, seeks to rekindle the sports spirit among the youth and bring back the lost glory of football in the lakeside region.

“Our history is awash with talented players at the grassroots but lack the requisite exposure and opportunity to explore their talents to full potential,” CS Owalo noted during the tournament’s 2nd day of matches playoff held at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo on Wednesday.

The inaugural competitions organized by the Eliud Owalo Foundation lined up four teams from Kisumu, Migori, Siaya and Homa Bay counties to provide an opportunity to spot, nurture and expose grassroots talent.

Homa Bay Combined was the first team to qualify for the finals of the Eliud Owalo Super Cup after thrashing Migori Combined 2-1 in the opening match played at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Kisumu Combined FC edged Siaya Combined FC 3-0 to secure a ticket to the tournament’s finals.

Finalists Kisumu Combined and Homa Bay Combined will lock horns at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Mamboleo on today, from 3pm.

At the same time, Siaya Combined will face Migori Combined in the play-off for third place at the same venue from midday.

The winners will receive cash awards of Sh400,000, and Sh300,000 for positions one and two respectively. The teams that will emerge in the third and fourth positions will take home Sh200,000 and Sh100,000 respectively.

Owalo stated that the Foundation has collaborated with legendary footballers including Tobias Ochola aka ‘Juakali,’ - a former Gor Mahia and Harambee stars international defender, James Goro Oronge and Peter Dawo - former Gor Mahia strikers, as well as Gerald Omollo aka ‘Chonjo,’ who captained Kisumu All-Stars in the 80s.

“The technical committee will scout for the best 22 players during the matches to constitute the Nyanza Combined team to play against Gor Mahia at Nyilima Grounds, in Siaya County on Saturday,” Owalo stated.

He urged residents to support the government’s efforts to restore the sporting spirit in the area by attending the matches to cheer up the teams and help position the region as a stronghold, especially in soccer games.

Dawo confirmed that the region is busting with untapped talents that stand a chance to be selected during the Eliud Owalo Super Cup tournament to join teams in Kenya’s Premier League and the National Super League.“We hope to return football to where it was in Nyanza. Currently, we only have one team from this region playing in the Kenya Premier League. With such initiatives, we anticipate seeing more teams joining the premier league,” stated Dawo.

Courtesy; KNA