By Betty Luke
A group of young people in Isiolo have embarked on engaging in soccer as a way of ensuring they are engaged and do not indulge in drug abuse and other criminal activities.
The group, through Bonanza Community Based Organization (CBO) and with support from the Northern Rangelands Trust, has brought on board eight football teams from Wabera, Bulapesa and Burat wards.
The 7-aside teams have been participating in annual Soccer Bonanza, a tournament that mostly runs for 20 days with the final matches happening during Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at the closure of Muslim’s holy month of Ramadhan.
The tournament seeks to support young talented players grow their skills and access opportunities in the country and abroad.
Ali Sora, a player and a reformed addict, said the third edition of the tournament whose climax was on April 10 enabled him stay engaged during the Ramadhan period, noting that he wishes to completely abandon drugs.
“It is easier to abandon drug abuse during the fast but sometimes one is tempted to resume especially in the evening (Iftar) or on Eid-ul-Fitr day. Engaging in football has kept me fully engaged and having no time to look for drugs,” he told The Press Point.
Bonanza CBO’s Representative Idris Daud said this year’s edition featured hundreds of young people both as players and spectators therefore averting indulgence in drug and substance abuse.
“We aim to bring them together so they can share ideas, network, and know each other. This not only ensures they are engaged but also offers a learning platform for the youth,” Mr Daud said.
The official noted that apart from helping the youth grow their talents, soccer helps develop an all-rounded individual who is team player and disciplined.
“Football teaches one to embrace teamwork, ensure punctuality, respect for their leaders and much more. Bringing the young men together to play not only nurtures talent but also supports other aspects of their lives,” he added.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Isiolo County Chairperson Hussein Dima said although many young people were embracing football, they were not receiving maximum support from the elected leaders, thereby affecting efforts to hone their talent.
“Youths have a lot of potential in soccer but then that talent remained untapped. If accorded maximum support they can scale greater heights,” he said.
Mr Dima took issue with the delayed completion of Isiolo stadium that he said would have offered a training ground for the teams that have been using institutional fields, majority that are in poor condition and unusable during the rainy season.
“There are over 40 teams within Isiolo Sub-County and all of them depend on the few school fields available. If the stadium was complete they would not be encountering such challenges,” said Mr Dima.
NRT Upper Eastern Director Dida Fayo said the organization was keen on supporting local talents in a bid to help the youth become productive.
“We are hoping to support the CBO take the initiative to the grassroots level so that the entire county is involved. This will ensure a peaceful coexistence not only among the young people but also among different communities,” he said.
Third edition tournament’s final match between Wabera’s Istiqama FC and Bulapesa’s Al-Rahma FC at Wabera primary grounds on Wednesday ended in a 2-1 result in favour of the former.
The winning team was awarded a trophy, full kit and medals for each of the players, two balls and an appreciation of Sh20,000 while the second one (Al-Rahma) received the same items and an appreciation of Sh10,000.
The initiative has also seen three players scouted to join a football Academy in Portugal, although officials are worried that lack of resources could hinder them from participation.
The three are Abubakar Ibrahim (Fortune Sacco football club), Abdihakim Ahmed (Youngstars) and Abdisalma Shukri from Wabera Junior Club.
Other organizations that supported the activity were Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENNDA), Better world Company, Madisha Security Company and the County Government of Isiolo.
