A successful talent search is always a heartwarming story. When a talented individual never thought their potential could go beyond their local community or school stage, then they get discovered and the world opens up to heights they would never have dreamed of. We have seen this among sports people, models, musicians, actors, actresses and in many other fields.
Such is the story of Safaricom Chapa Dimba which is now back
after a 3-years hiatus. Chapa Dimba is a grassroots to national tournament that
identifies and nurtures football talent among youngsters aged 16 to 20. This
not only offers them a platform to showcase and improve their game, but also
gives them exposure through traveling and playing competitively outside of
their regions. Competitive sports give players hope and purpose and this
impacts their overall growth even outside of the pitch.
This is also the story of Tuinuane, a rallying call and
brand philosophy by Safaricom for us to stand up for one another as Kenyans.
With Chapa Dimba and many other sports and humanities projects all over the
country, Safaricom is leading Tuinuane from the front. This is more so because
throughout the tournament across the country, Safaricom will interact with
communities by conducting free medical camps and organizing financial and
digital literacy clinics, in partnership with other relevant players.
A look at previous Chapa Dimba tournaments is a clear
testimony of just how far football can take players. We have kids whom football
has seen through school without their guardians having to dip into their
pockets. We have others who have been spotted by team agents and have since
been recruited into brand and national teams. They are now not only making a
living out of the sport but are also a great inspiration to the younger kids
still dreaming about being players. We also have many who have been saved from
idleness and associated vices by having their time occupied by football. We
will tell as many of these stories as we trail the tournaments.
One of the biggest highlights of Chapa Dimba if not the
absolute biggest is Safaricom’s partnership with La Liga in which at the
regional finals, the two best football players (one boy and one girl) will be
identified and selected to form an All-Star team, with the opportunity to
participate in a 10-day training boot camp in Spain. Two players (one boy and
one girl) will also be granted international placement in a youth team in
Spain.
With this partnership, the youngsters get to see what big
football is about – the sheer discipline that comes with it, the huge stadia,
and the quality of the grounds where football magic happens. They got the
privilege of training on these grounds, to watch big matches live and also to
play friendlies with junior clubs in Spain. Ultimately, they get to experience
how far ahead of us the big leagues are and to adjust their dreams upwards. The
mark that such a trip will leave on these kids is indelible and if that is not
what powerful nurturing of dreams is, I don’t know what is.
Safaricom Chapa Dimba Is Back After A Three Year Break
Safaricom and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have
launched the fourth edition of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba football tournament
after a three-year break. The launch event was held at Camp Toyoyo in Jericho,
Nairobi County. During the launch, Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa announced that
the telco has pledged more than Ksh 400 million to support the tournament,
which will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. The tournament will be
held at both grassroots and national levels throughout the country.
The objective of Safaricom Chapa Dimba is to establish a
structured platform for scouts and coaches to discover fresh talent and create
feeder systems for Kenyan leagues nationwide. Additionally, the initiative aims
to train a total of 250 coaches.
“We are proud to announce the return of Safaricom Chapa
Dimba after a three-year break due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Previous
seasons of the tournament have been a huge success, and we intend to enrol even
more participants this season. Football is a beautiful game that brings people
together. Its popularity cuts across ethnic lines and social status and is a
powerful tool for social change, inclusion, and respect,” said Mr Ndegwa.
“We are equally happy to announce that 32 young players from
the tournament will be scouted to the national team and get an opportunity to
visit Spain for a 10-day training boot camp. In this new season, courtesy of
Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations, we shall also offer TVET educational
scholarships to 150 players that will go to the best boy and girl player in
every county, as well as members of the winning girls’ and boys’ teams at the
national finals. We look forward to forging deeper connections with our
customers and showcasing our commitment to transforming lives.” said Mr Ndegwa.
The tournament will award the winning boys’ and girls’ teams
in the county, regional, and national finals with a total prize money of Ksh 20
million, double the amount from the previous year. During each of the regional
finals, the two best football players (one boy and one girl) will be identified
and selected to form an All-Star team, with the opportunity to participate in a
10-day training boot camp in Spain. Two players (one boy and one girl) will
also be granted international placement in a youth team in Spain.
Throughout the tournament, Safaricom will interact with
communities across Kenya by conducting free medical camps, organizing financial
and digital literacy clinics in partnership with key stakeholders, and offering
various promotions for Safaricom products and services.
“I want to laud Safaricom for supporting various sports
developments in our country. Previous editions of Safaricom Chapa Dimba have
helped us recruit new, talented players for our clubs and the national teams.
We are happy to see the return of the tournament. I believe and hope that this
season will be even more exciting and impactful,” said Nick Mwendwa, President
of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Safaricom Chapa Dimba was first launched in 2017 to give
young people between the ages of 16-20 years a platform to showcase their
talent and get rewarded for their passion. The tournament has become a much
sought-after event by local and international scouts seeking new, talented
footballers.
The tournament has produced many talented players such as
Benson Omalla of Gor Mahia, currently a top scorer in the Kenya Premier League;
David Majak of Tusker FC; Jentrix Shikangwa of Simba Queens in Tanzania; Jane
Njeri, Cynthia Livondo, and Judith Osimbo among others.
The tournament will be open to both boys’ and girls’ teams.
It will kick off with a national registration exercise from 1st May
2023 in Nairobi, Eastern, Western, Nyanza, Rift, Coast, Central, and North
Eastern regions.
Registration forms will be available on the Safaricom
website: www.chapadimba.safaricom.co.ke.
The group stages will be played at the grassroots level, with successful teams
qualifying for the regional finals across the eight regions.
This year’s tournament will kick off on 3rd June 2023 in Western Kenya, with the national finals to be held on 14th January 2024.
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