112 teams set for Kakamega GMO awareness football tournament

BY NEWSFLASH REPORTER

Kakamega is set for a major grassroots football spectacle after 112 teams were drawn for the inaugural National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Awareness Football Tournament, which kicks off on September 12.

The draws, conducted on Saturday, September 5, set the stage for a three-month competition bringing together teams from five sub-counties in Kakamega in a campaign that combines football with public education on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biosafety.

The tournament is organised by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Kakamega Branch in partnership with the NBA and will run until December 23.

Mumias East has the largest representation, with 48 teams divided into six pools of eight. Mumias West has 16 teams in four pools, while Khwisero, Butere and Matungu complete the 112-team field.

In Mumias West, Central Primary School will host Pool A, featuring Nyota Academy, Shibale United, Mumias Vipers and Green View Villa.

Pool B

Pool B, to be played at Bomani, comprises Yatta Medical Insurance, Ihonje Warriors, Mumias Young Stars and Bomani All Stars.

Pool C at Bumia Primary School features Imanga Township, Musejere, Imanga Youth and Buchifi, while Pool D at Ahonyinjo Primary School brings together Buchirinya, Musanda Sharks, Bungasi and Shihaka.

Mumias East promises an even bigger football feast, with its six pools spread across different venues. Teams drawn include Milla FC, Epanja FC, Thunderstorm FC, Khabondi Rangers, Khaimba FC, Mzalendo FC, Homeboyz FC, Mahola Greens, Sugarzone FC, Brave Warriors, Young Boys and Red Commandos.

The tournament will be played mainly at weekends, with sub-county semi-finals and finals scheduled for November 28 and 29. The top two teams from each sub-county will advance to the regional stage.

The 10 qualifiers will then battle for four places in the final phase, with regional matches spread over three weekends in December before the overall final and third-place play-off on December 23.

Football to drive GMO awareness

Held under the theme “Kicking Out GMO Misinformation Through Sports,” the tournament seeks to use football as a platform to promote accurate information about GMOs, biotechnology and biosafety.

The NBA says the initiative will provide an opportunity to engage young people, farmers, community leaders and other members of the public through science-based information.

Beyond awareness creation, organisers expect the competition to strengthen grassroots football through talent identification, improved administration, increased competition and greater utilisation of local sporting facilities.

With the draws complete, attention now shifts to September 12 when the first whistle will launch what organisers hope will become a landmark football and public awareness campaign in Kakamega.