By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The 46th Edition of Kenya’s biggest off-season football tournament Kothbirohas been launched.
The legendary tournament was launched by lawyer Shadrach Wambui who challenged grassroots sports organizers to not wait for the government to bring change to the industry but to do it themselves.
The launch was at Umeme Grounds in Ziwani, Nairobi.
Wambui stated with proper organization in the grassroots, the Kenyan football industry will attract the international market and make football a well-paying career.
“We should not wait for the government, we need to start organizing ourselves from the grassroots. We want the government to come and find us organized. I am particularly proud of the former internationals who have come back to support this tournament that helped build their careers,” said Wambui.
“My younger sister is a boxer and she is currently earning very good money from it. And she is doing so because I supported her and helped nurture her talent,” said Wambui.
The launch saw former Kenyan International Jamal Mohamed popularly known as Malo who is also one of the sponsors attend the launch accompanied by former Tusker and KCB player David Opati who also worked in the British army.
Malo has promised to make this edition bigger and better in terms of cash rewards to the winning teams and also organisation of the tournament.
“I am going to support this tournament in a way that it has never been supported before. I started my footballing career at Kothbiro and Kothbiro has made me who I am today, so this is me giving back to my community,” he said.
The tournament indeed started on a high with the two teams that played the curtain raiser match walking away with Ksh. 25,000 each courtesy of Lawyer Wambui, Malo, and Opati Opati also worked at the British army.
Former Kenyan International Arnold Origi is sponsoring the Golden Gloves to the tune of Ksh. 10,000, Lawyer Wambui also sponsoring the golden boots with Ksh. 5,000.
Winners will walk away with Ksh. 200,000, Number 2, Ksh. 100,000, Number 3, Ksh. 50,000.
