Ngata FC went home Sh500,000 richer after being crowned winners of the Mosop Boxing Day tournament held at Ngata Primary School.

Ngata FC defeated Juhudi FC in a competitive final that ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of play, forcing the teams into penalty shootouts where Ngata FC scored 4 goals while their opponents scored 2 goals.

Juhudi Fc were awarded Sh300,000 for finishing second.
In the women's category, Ngata women's football team won the title and took home Sh100,000.

The tournament was organised by Nakuru First Gentleman Sam Mburu. The chief guest at the event was President Ruto's Personal Assistant, Farouk Kibet.

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Mr Kibet stressed the need for the Ministry of Sports to allocate more funds to support and nurture young talents from Mashinani.

"We have enjoyed the games played here today and this region has shown that we have great talent in Mashinani. I would like to appeal to the national government to allocate funds that can be used for sports and talent development from the grassroots level," said Kibet.

He also stressed that such tournaments would be a great place for institutions like the National Youth Service to scout for talent that could eventually lead to young men and women being recruited into the Kenya Police Service and other security agencies in the country.

Mr Kibet commended Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Mr Mburu for a well-organised tournament that not only brought together players but also drew in members of the community for a fun-filled day as they enjoyed the festive season.

He noted that such initiatives are the best way to prevent the youth from getting involved in drugs and substance abuse.

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Speaking at the tournament, Ms Kihika noted that sports is a great way of nurturing talent and that his government intends to bring scouts on board for the subsequent matches that will be organised next year to scout for talent in Nakuru.

"My government has allocated Sh500,000 in each ward to develop talent from the grassroots. Sports competitions will be held from the ward level as they progress to the county level finals, something we plan to do bigger and better next year," said Ms Kihika.

Nakuru's first gentleman Sam Mburu awarding Ngata FC team a jersey after their win against Juhudi FC during the Mosop Ward Boxing day tournament.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

During the award ceremony, Mr Mburu pledged to build four classrooms, a dining hall and a laboratory for Ngata Primary School, the host school for the tournament.

Also present at the tournament were Water Cabinet Secretary Zachary Njeru, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, Nakuru East MP David Gikaria and Bahati MP Irene Njoki.

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Ngata FC crowned winners of the Mosop Boxing Day Tournament

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