Embu County this weekend is playing host to the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Region finals at the Moi Stadium with eight semi-finalists taking part in the tournament.

In the first girls’ semifinal, MSF Starlets from Machakos dismissed AIC Sultan Queens from Makueni 1:0, while Royal Queens Academy Football Girls from host County Embu defeated Dakabaricha Secondary from Marsabit 2:1.

In the boys’ category, Mkinduri Lockstar from Meru qualified for the finals slated for Sunday, October 4, after defeating Golden Football from Machakos 2:1 after a hard-fought battle.

In the second boys’ semi-final that was still ongoing at the time of reporting, MAFA Academy from Isiolo was leading 3:0 against Mbuthani Secondary School from Makueni.

Safaricom PLC Coast and Eastern Regions Business Lead Jackson Mutua said winners for boys’ and girls’ finals will pocket Sh250, 000 and a ticket to represent the region at the national finals slated for early next year.

He added that runners-up will take home Sh150, 000 for each category, where there will also be other individual awards for most valuable player, top scorer and best goalkeeper who will each pocket Sh30, 000.

Mutua said besides offering a scouting avenue for next football stars, the tournament is aimed at engaging young people constructively and allowing them to earn from their passion and talents.

“The main objective of this campaign is to encourage the youth to develop their talents and keep them away from vices such as drug abuse. Chapa Dimba is not just about football, it is about giving hope and a platform to the youth from the village level,” said Mutua.

He added that an intensive scouting exercise led by coaches from Kenya Premier League and National Super League teams is ongoing on the sidelines of the tournament, where standout players will be selected for possible recruitment into top-tier clubs and the national youth teams, including the Junior Stars and Starlets.

By Samuel Waititu