Extreme Sports are planning to introduce the tournament in other other counties apart from Nairobi County that they are currently based.
Speaking when presenting Uniforms and balls for the teams that are participating in this years edition, the Chief Executive Officer who is also the founder of the tournament Hussein Mohammed says they are at an advanced stage in introducing the competition to the other seven counties in order to spread the game .
” We are at advanced planning stages of introducing the competition to seven other regions across Kenya with the Coast and Nyanza regions kicking off the expansion plan later on this year and early next year respectively,”he said.
106 teams regeistered for the competition that kicked off in April registering with Ksh 3000.
The registration fee to participate in the tournament was KSH3,000 shillings for each club and today they received merchandise valued at approximately 40,000 each.
In addition, a total of 1.43 million shillings is up for grabs as prize money with the overall winner walking home with 500,000 shillings.
This edition dubbed the SportPesa Super 8 Soccer Tournament is expected to run until 23rd of August 2015.
Hussein lauded the teams that took part in the tournament for their patience saying that despite intimidation and threat of expulsion they took part in the tournament. He asked the Government through the Sport Secretary Mr. Japther Rugut to look into the matter.
“Mr. Rugut, I am sure you are aware that we were taken to court and an injunction was temporarily issued to halt the SportPesa Super 8 Soccer Tournament.
Despite the injunction being lifted and the games kicking off, these clubs have faced unwarranted threats and intimidation from retrogressive forces hell bent on stifling any meaningful growth in football management.
A good majority here have been “banned” from participating in football activities in the country.
This is despite the fact that the Government of Kenya is a co-sponsor of this tournament. I urge the Ministry to look into this matter,” he exclaimed.
The slogan is “Wakilisha” Mtaa Yako campaign to rally supporters from different neighborhoods to come out in large numbers and support their clubs.
Amongst who graced the event was Deputy Governor, Jonathan Mueke, Sport Secretary Mr. Japther Rugut, Commissioner of Sports, Mr. Gordon Oluoch, SportPesa team, SPS8 coordinators, Club officials and players.
AUTHOR : PAUL OJENGE / POLOSA