(From Left) mCHEZA Chief Executive Officer Peter Karimi with Green Sports Co-Founder George Ouma,
Nike FC player Hussein Hassan
and Green Sports Co- Founder Kassim Ismaily when they announced the Gold Cup Tournament scheduled for 15th- 20th August 2016 at St. Mary’s School and RFUEA Grounds. 250 teams will compete for an opportunity to get scouted and join top national clubs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 28 – Gaming platform mCHEZA in partnership with Green Sports Africa have announced the 2016 Gold Cup Tournament which kicks off from August 15 at St. Marys School, Lavington.
A total of 147 teams from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda have confirmed participation, which is 40 more teams than in the 2015 edition.
During the tournament, players stand a chance to be scouted by leading local and regional clubs including Vipers from Uganda, Azam from Tanzania, Harambee stars, Gor Mahia and Bandari FC from Kenya, APR from Rwanda and TP Mazembe from Congo.
The teams will also stand a chance to secure trials for slots in clubs in Africa and Europe, with scholarship opportunities into the Green Sports Academy courtesy of mCHEZA.
Speaking during the announcement, mCHEZA Chief Executive Officer Peter Karimi affirmed the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent, and invited more youth to register for the tournament.
He also commended the Green Sports team for their continuous efforts to professionalize football in the country.
“As part of our company’s social pillars, nurturing talent ranks high among our business objectives. Green Sports have been able to rope in scouts from leading football clubs in the region to witness their level of professionalism in managing football.
The teams which will participate at the tournament are able to receive the exposure they need to take their talent to the next level,” noted Karimi.
He added that teams which have signed up to participate in the tournament such as Makeshift Fc (U13), Black Man Fc (U15), All stars Fc (U18), 49ers (Open Girls will receive playing kits for free.
On his part, Green Sports Africa Co-founder and tournament organizer George Ouma expressed excitement over the growth of talent in the country and urged players to practice well for an opportunity to play in national clubs.
“Beyond looking for players to sign up at the Green Sport Academy, we are offering the participants the opportunity to get signed up by local and regional clubs beyond Kenya’s borders whose scouts will be present. We therefore urge players to practice well as this opportunity may earn them a leading club,” said Ouma.
All Stars FC from Mombasa, who came up tops in the Astro-turf Challenge earlier in the year are set to defend their title with the hopes of becoming champions across East Africa. A number of players from Astro-turf now play professional football, with some players being offered top flight division football in the Kenya Premier League. One of the players is Abdul Razack who currently plays for Poster Rangers.
Other teams expected at the tournament include Nike FC, Slum soccer FC, ladies defending champions Minions, Kibera super stars, Rangers FC, African warriors, Bayern Never Losen and Imani FC.
