Mitunguu United and Kibirichia Starlets were crowned the winners of the Meru Football Challenge after triumphing in men’s and women’s categories respectively in the final played at Kinoru Stadium.
In the men’s category, Mitunguu United needed extra time to beat Black Panther FC 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
For their exploits, United walked away with Sh1m while runners-up Black Panther FC settled for half a million shillings. In the ladies’ final, Kibirichia Starlets overcame Skyler FC 2-1 in regulation time to clinch the trophy and a Sh1m cash prize.
The Meru Football Challenge, was supported by gaming firm Betika’s and attracted 48 teams from Meru region. The finals were held on Sunday, 31st March at Kinoru Stadium, and event attended by over 40,000 fans.
Tournament Promoter and Director, former Gor Mahia Defender Bramwel Karamoja remarked that the tournament had showcased the abundant talent prevalent in the region.
“The people of Meru love football. The capacity crowd and overall support that we have seen for the tournament from the County Government and local FKF leadership from the beginning of the tournament, as we organised the teams, through to the semi-finals and finals is enough evidence. I would like to thank each of the fans individually for coming out to support the tournament, and Betika for believing in Kenyan football.”
The Meru Football Challenge is set to be an annual event, with a view to making football a viable source of livelihood for talented players in Meru and across the region.
Betika Marketing Manager, Eric Mwiti, congratulated the winners and spoke to the company’s wider football agenda, saying: “We are proud to be associated with the rise of football in Meru County. The Meru Football Challenge is just the beginning. We are also especially proud to be blazing the trail in promoting gender equality by awarding equal prize money to both genders, which we hope will stimulate more development in the ladies’ game here in Meru and across the country.”
