NAIROBI, Kenya, March 25- The Copa Coca-Cola 2011 tournament continues this weekend in eight counties across the country including Nairobi, Kirinyaga, East Marakwet, Nakuru and Nyamira. Nairobi will host their games at Posta Grounds while Kirinyaga county games will be played at Kerugoya stadium with 12 teams battling it out including
In Elgeyo Marakawet County, there will also be a total of 12 teams that will be meeting at Marakwet High School including Soi Mixed School, Tambach High School, St. Patricks School, Moi Girls Kapsowar, Singore girls amongst others. Nakuru county will host their games in Naivasha, and there will also be various teams including; St. Andrews Turi, Flamingo High School, Afraha Secondary School amongst others.
Nyansiongo Secondary School, Nyamira Technical, Itibo Girls are some of the teams for honours in Nyamira County.
Bomet County teams will include Sigor Boys, Kaplong Girls, Bomet Youth and 9 others who will be facing off at Siongiroi. Vihiga in Mbale and Kwale will excite their fans in Msambweni.
Speaking ahead of the games, Coca-Cola Senior Marketing Brand Manager, Mrs. Catherine Mudachi, said that teams turnout at the tournament so far had been good.
“We are happy with the teams that have registered to take part in this tournament, as many of them consist of school teams as well as community teams. We also have quite a number of girls teams that will be taking part and ours is to urge as many football fans and supporters to come out in large numbers and support their teams as they take on each other this and every coming weekend in various venues across the country,” said Mudachi.
The games will kick-off from 9am and fans will be treated to an assortment of entertainment on the ground. They will also have an opportunity to immerse and be engaged actively in the games, where they will be rewarded for cheering on their teams.
The COPA Coca-Cola 2011 edition has also an array of prizes with the winning boys’ team at the national finals taking home a cash prize of Sh500,000 while the girls’ team will walk away with Sh200,000.
Other prizes include: Sh200,000 for the second runner up in the boys competition followed by the third runner up with Sh100,000.
The top scorer, Best Goal Keeper and Man of the Match will all be awarded Sh20,000 each. In the girls’ games, the second runner up will be given Sh100,000 while the Best Cheering Fan will walk home with Sh20,000.
Since its introduction in Kenya about 3 years ago, COPA Coca-Cola has created opportunities for thousands of young footballers, some of whom have gone on to play in both the Kenya Premier League (KPL) as well as represent Kenya in a number of Junior international football tournaments.
Some of the players include: Steven Odhiambo who plays with Thika United, Emmanuel Tostao who is with AFC Leopards, Edwin Mwaura drafted with Rangers, Jackson Macharia who joined Thika United, Edward Seda currently with AFC Leopards, Joseph Kuria with Thika United, Dan Waweru currently playing for Western Stima, Felix Omondi with Gor Mahia and Ali Ahmed who plays for Western Stima.
This year’s tournament will culminate in a COPA reality TV show which will capture the dreams, talents, challenges, performance of key select players at the COPA tournament, leadership skills resilience and all that goes on in the 5 months of the activation.
