This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
Published on September 20, 2019, the third edition of the Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom grassroots tournament kicked off in Mombasa with 40 preliminary matches set to be played over the weekend.
The tournament, which aims to identify and nurture young football talent, will feature 29 boys and 11 girls matches in different locations in Mombasa.
Shimanzi Youth, the Mombasa Region boys defending champions, have rebranded to Kick Stars and will kick off their title defence against Mombasa Kings on Saturday morning at the Ronald Ngala ground in Mvita.
Girls defending champions Changamwe Ladies will take on Changamwe Queens on Sunday morning at the Magongo Primary School ground.
As part of the tournament, Safaricom has partnered with La Liga to offer select boys and girls a chance to play against youth teams in Spain.
Tournament director Chris Amimo expressed confidence that this season will be more competitive, citing the success of the Spanish tour last season, where 16 boys and 16 girls played against teams from Spain.
"We expect this season to be more competitive especially on the backdrop of the Spanish tour we had last season with 16 boys and 16 girls going to Spain to play with teams from that region. Other players are now eager to grab that chance this time and we are looking forward to exciting matches in all the regions," Amimo told Nation Sport.
The tournament will culminate with the national finals at the Bomu Stadium in Mombasa in June next year.
