By Reuben Olita
Jobless FC and Chakol Queens were on Wednesday crowned the Global.
Appeal Football tournament champions in the finals played at the Busia County Stadium.
Global Appeal Sports had partnered with Busia Women Representative, Hon. Catherine Omanyo who hosted and funded all teams to participate. Each team costed Ksh10,000. She also stood in for
other logistics.
Ivan Onyango netted the first goal for Jobless in the 4th minute from a free kick to see his team take a 1-0 lead at the break. Yassin Sije buried Western Regonal League leaders,Obucuun with the second goal, five minutes to the end of the game.
Top coaches from the Country, Robert Matano of Tusker FC and Nicholas Muyoti of City Stars watched play-off match between Division Two side OPET FC and Masters and the final between Obuccun Border and Jobless.
Others included AFC Leopards team manager, Albert Wesonga and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Bwibo.
Matano, who played for Busia United in 1984 before joining AFC Leopards said talents abound in the County but regretted that the standard of Busia Stadium was below par.
“We have talents and best coaches in the county but we lack standard pitches for hosting major matches, we need a paradgim shift from the local leadership to reverse the trend,” he said, pledging to recruit at least three players to play for Tusker FC.
Muyoti concurred with his Tusker counterpart that there was need to construct modern stadia in the county or improve on existing facilities.
Chakol Queens were crowned the ladies champions after beating Lukolis Ladies 2-0 in the final before a capacity crowd at Busia County Stadium. Maureen
Walela netted a brace with Martha Karani putting the issue beyond doubt with the third goal.
Walela said she was happy to be the top scorer and the best player of the tournament, adding that the game was enjoyable with her team emerging dominant.
“We are participating in Western Regional League and we are currently lying in third position. Financial constraints is our major undoing and more so I need to pursue a Diploma course in Lab Tech at Sang’alo Institute to realize my cherished dreams,” she said.
In the playoff match, Opet FC beat Masters 4-2. Kevin Oruko struck twice for the victors. Mark Osore and J. Mbappe accounting for a goal each. Masters netted their goals through Pascal Juma and Brian Okumu.
Global Appeal Sports under Yusuf Noah as the chairman and founder awarded the
winners in the male and female categories with a trophy and a set of uniforms.
Busia woman Representative, Hon Catherine Omanyo gave cash awards of Sh30,000 for the winners. Obucuun received Ksh15,000, same to Lukolis Ladies. She also gave all 36 clubs that took part in the four-day tournament Ksh15,000 each.
The top scorer and best male player award went to Yassin Sije of Jobless FC with five goals to his credit. Sadam Nyengenye of Obucuun Border took the best goalkeeper award.
The female top scorer award went to Maureen Walela of Chakol Queens after netting two goals. Martha Karani of Chakol Queens emerged the best female player with Caren Biso taking the best goalkeeper award.
Chakol South Member of the County Assembly, Hon Denzil Musumba in a kind gesture to Western Regional League runneraway leaders, Obucuun Border which hails from his ward donated Ksh30,000 to the club and Ksh20,000 to Chakol Queens which also comes from his ward.
Hon Omanyo told Busia flagbearers to the Global Appeal regional event that will draw clubs from Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga not to let the county down but to put it on the map.
“In August I will sponsor an event to tap talent in performing arts to be followed by netball and volleyball tournaments. I also take this opportunity to thank the Football Kenya Federation Busia Branch for their organizational skills of the tournament.
County Executive Committee Member for Culture and Sports, Olung’a Paul Ekwenye gave cash awards of Ksh5,000 to winners and runners up. He further pledged Ksh50,000 each to County flag bearers in preparation for the Global Appeal Regional tournament to be hosted by Busia in July.
Ekwenye also announced the Deputy Governor, H.E Arthur Odera national volleyball tournament in October with Governor, H.E Dr Paul Otuoma Football tournament to be staged in November and December; the winners will pocket Ksh500,000.
Mr Noah urged the local football federation to recruit 50 youths across the county ready for a referees course to be sponsored by Global Appeal Sports.
