Kick homelessness in Kenia slums tournament
Posted by Kenya - 23/07/2009
Kick homelessness in Kenia slums tournament (street soccer) sponsored by heavenely treasure's under the Zakale creations in conjunction with Kenia Homeless Street Soccer Association. 17/07/09
REPORT It is our pleasure that kick homelessness street soccer tournament sponsored by heavenly treasures of California, USA under the zakale creations of Nairobi in conjunction with KHSSA. Which was held on 17/06/09 successfully came to an end in a big style the same day in Huruma sports ground. The tournament was played by six teams from the exiting street soccer league zones in Nairobi slums namely Huruma, Babadogo, Kibera, Korokocho, Makongeni and Dagoretti, 120 players participated in a one day tournament. The matches started as planned as 12 teams took part in the grand final 6 seniors teams and 6 junior's teams and 6 best teams from each zones. There were a lot of prizes which were presented to the teams and players individually. There were prizes like uniforms sponsored by heavenly treasure's and each team received lunch and transport while the winning team was awarded with a Trophy by KHSSA. In the senior category Kiki boys from Huruma zone were crowned champions after beating Zakale creations by 4-2, in the junior category Chini ya Mnazi from Kibera zone were crowned champions after beating slums girls from Korokocho by same margin as there were many people who encouraged youth's about the issue of homelessness and poverty among the people who contributed in speech were community leaders, youth leaders, area chief, area councilor and the C.E.O of heavenly treasure. The crowd was very large that shows that street soccer game is really a crowd puller. The theme of the tournament kick homelessness was passed and received by many people. There were also many guests who attended the grand final including provincial director of sports Nairobi Madam Alice Gekonde area chief and area councilor among others.
CHALLENGES There were few prizes presented to the team we lacked sports elements like boots, shin guards, complete uniform, medals and trophies. The tournament was played on a week day thus crowd and participating teams could have been larger than it was if only it was played over a holiday and also if it could have been played for long period of weeks.
ACHIEVEMENTS The Kick homelessness message was received by many people mostly youths as well on how to overcome this problem. Youth teams from various zones used this opportunity to share issues about their life's (social interaction). Players also were very happy to get T-shirts to wear during training.
FINDINGS Heavenly treasure's made youths realize that they are not alone in the world of homelessness and slum youth, street youth are now confident and proud of themselves. Sports have proved to be very important in promoting social integration and we are very grateful for the support we have received from heavenly treasures and we looking forward for more collaboration. KHSSA appreciated so much to heavenly treasure's and Zakale creation for the one day tournament. We are looking forward for more such tournaments in future.
KENYA HOMELESS STREET SOCCER ASSOCIATION
