SportPesa gives big boost to top leagues field players,tournaments

Football teams eyeing growth into bigger clubs and field players in the top leagues and tournaments have received a shot in the arm following the launch of a grassroots project by SportPesa that will level the playing field for these clubs.

Dimba Itambe, a SportPesa initiative aimed at supporting grassroot teams across the country has been launched today with the first beneficiaries being 43 teams playing in the Muranga County League.

Through this initiative, the teams playing in various Football Kenya Federation’s county leagues will be supported with football kits and materials as well as administrative benefits. This is in a bid to sustain them and build a talent pipeline to grow the sport.The program will be rolled out in various counties.

“Dimba Itambe is to ensure as many upcoming teams as possible get the support they need to create a talent pipeline for national league clubs, the national team and even international teams,” said SportPesa CEO Captain Ronald Karauri.

“We are focused on growing sports in Kenya and the future lies in these grassroot teams. This is only the beginning, we will be rolling out similar support in other counties across the country,” he said.

The 43 teams are currently divided into three zones, including the female teams.

“This support will create a level playing field for upcoming clubs so they can realise their potential and grow in the sport. There is a lot of talent in the grassroot but teams have been struggling to sustain themselves and keep dreams of players alive,” said FKF Muranga branch Chairman Robert Macharia.

Sandra Njoki, a captain of one of the female teams said: “This team is fairly new having started six months ago. We have been training barefoot and sometimes while wearing dresses because we have absolutely no kits and boots. I am very grateful that SportPesa has remembered women’s football.”