New Charity Cup “Promotes Peace in Sports”

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Eve Pearce
A new charity cup, involving four of the most popular Premier League Clubs, will take place early next year.

The Kenya Power Charity Cup, which was announced last week, will allow members of the public to vote for their favourite Premiership teams; the winning four will then go on to compete against each other at a special one-off tournament on February 2 at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.

Launched by the Kenyan Premier League, Football Kenya Federation and lighting company, Kenya Power, the competition aims “to help promote peace through sports,” according to Kenya Power Managing Director, Joseph Njoroge, and will see funds raised donated towards several good causes.

Invitation to vote
Members of the public are now able to vote for their favourite team via SMS text message, by texting the name of the club to 2542. Fans will be able to pick from any of this season’s 16 Premier League clubs, as well as any of the teams that finished in the top three spots of the two Nationwide Leagues. Football fans from all over the country are invited to vote, but are advised to get their votes in quick, as the lines will close on January 23.

Needy causes
The tournament’s organisers say that the Charity Cup will be a fun and unique way to raise money for a good cause. Some of the proceeds from public votes and tickets will go towards helping to improve lighting and facilities at many of the country’s main football grounds. “With the money raised, Kenya Power will invest in lighting up and/or refurbishing football pitches throughout the country which, we believe, will not only benefit the lovers of the game but also the communities where these pitches are based,” said Mr. Njoroge.

A sport that unites all
Football is highly regarded by officials as a sport that can unite all; another large proportion of the funds raised from the contest will therefore go towards initiating community football schemes, encouraging disadvantaged young people to get involved in the sport. There will also be funds available to contribute towards other vital related community causes such as developing medical treatment for disadvantaged Kenyan citizens, mainly those living in rural areas with difficult access to mainstream health facilities. The aim of the funds from the project is to promote and work towards the overall health of the Kenyan public; from improving treatment facilities for those with medical problems, to providing the platforms needed to allow people to access sport, enabling them to participate in regular exercise.

It is also hoped that the funds generated will lead to better facilities and all-round customer experience when attending a match. The organisers also hope to raise nationwide, and even international, awareness of Kenya’s quality football leagues, clubs and players, showcasing the breadth of talent that exists in the professional game. According to Njoroge, football is one of the most popular sports in Kenya, and one that unifies people from all walks of life, regardless of ethnicity, age or socio-economic status.

The beautiful game
The Kenya Power Charity Cup, the first of its kind to allow such important levels of active public participation, is sure to be a significant event for both spectators and players. Fans, according to KPL Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda, will get to “co-own” the competition, having picked the teams they would most like to see. The clubs will have equal amounts of vetted interest; “It is only through such initiatives that our sport can grow,” said FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya. “Our clubs and players will definitely get something from this.”

High stakes: Both financially and emotionally
The stakes will be high; the club that emerges victorious will win Sh850,000. Runners up prizes will also be significant; with the teams that finish in second and third places taking away Sh540,000 and Sh170,000 respectively. However, it will be the unique sense of community and togetherness that will be created by such a unique event that stands to make the biggest contribution to football, and wider sport, in Kenya. Njoroge concluded: “We shall, together with our partners in this initiative, leverage on its popularity to further promote soccer in this country as a peaceful sport.”

Members of the public will be able to purchase tickets to any of the matches of the tournament, details of which will become available from the organisers at a later date.