The Hezekiah Otsiula Memorial Cup finals, sponsored by Khasoko Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Benjamin Otsiula, provided a platform for schools to scout and nurture emerging football talent, particularly as institutions prepare to recruit players transitioning to grade 10 under the new education system.
The tournament brought together gifted young footballers from across the ward, giving coaches and scouts an opportunity to identify promising players while promoting youth development, discipline and sportsmanship at the grassroot tournament.
In his address to the media at Mungore Primary School grounds where the tournament was held, Christopher Simiyu, St. Mary’s Kibabii National School coach, applauded the area MCA for coming up with a tournament to support young talents.
“This is exactly what we are doing at Kibabii National School, we identify and nurture talents to the greater heights,” he said, adding that with grade 10 expecting to join their various schools of choice, Kibabii targets to admit players who will be nurtured and supported.
He noted that through school sports at Kibabii they have nurtured big talents citing Ozil of Nairobi United.
“As Kibabii community we have already spotted talents here which we are communicating with area MCA to see how we can nurture them courtesy of our Chief Principal Nicodemus Ogeto,” he said.
Further, the veteran coach noted that such tournaments play a critical role in keeping young people positively engaged at a time when cases of drug and substance abuse are on the rise in the country.
He said organized sports provide a healthy outlet for youths’ energy, instill discipline and teamwork, and steer them away from harmful behaviors by giving them purpose, mentorship and hope for a better future.
“By participating, watching and bonding together they avoid drug and substance abuse and builds a healthy nation, otherwise without such tournaments we are going to miss out, because if you look at the recent Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) recruitment you realize that a good number of the recruits were turned back because of the drugs,” he added.
To boost talent scouting, Simiyu called on top club coaches to decentralize the process by moving beyond major tournaments to the grassroots to get real talents.
He argued that coaches should regularly visit community level competitions or work closely with teachers and local trainers on the ground to ensure genuinely gifted players are identified, nurtured and given equal opportunities regardless of their background or location.
Khasoko ward MCA Benjamin Otsiula said the tournament was an opportunity for Khasoko teams to showcase their talents noting that the competition attracted 10 teams that took part.
“Out of the 10 teams Namusasi FC have emerged the winner in the Hezekiah Otsiula Memorial Cup 2025,” he noted. He revealed that apart from football there were also other competitions; leg ball between Namanze and Mungore where Namanze won the competition.
Otsiula also said that there were volleyball competitions for those boys and girls.
The Ford Kenya MCA said that he involved the FKF officials in his tournament that would help in exposing talented players.
“I have involved FKF officials and school coaches so that they help us in identifying talents that would be nurtured to greater heights, because if we get players going nationally and internationally, they will be uplifting the Khasoko name,” he noted.
However, Otsiula appreciated other tournament organizers in his ward stating that the activities have kept the youths engaged.
“Since the tournament started I have not heard of theft or people fighting in disco matanga meaning people have been busy and engaged,” he said.
The winner of the Hezekiah Otsiula Memorial Cup received Ksh40,000, uniforms, ball, trophy and a certificate of participation, number got Ksh.30,000, uniforms, ball and certificate, number three bagged Ksh20,000, uniforms, certificate and a ball, number four got Ksh10,000, uniforms, a ball and a certificate of participation.
The champions of the Hezekiah Otsiula Memorial Cup walked away with a handsome package comprising Ksh40, 000 in prize money, full playing kits, a match ball, the tournament trophy and a certificate of participation.
The runners-up were awarded Ksh30, 000, uniforms, a ball and a certificate, while the third-placed team pocketed Ksh20, 000 alongside uniforms, a ball and a certificate. The fourth-placed side also earned recognition, receiving Ksh10, 000, playing kits, a ball and a certificate of participation.
“Every team that participated was awarded to encourage them and keep them motivated,” he said.
