Arusha — KENYA'S 'Ligi Ndogo Academy teams' have emerged the winner of 'Chipukizi Cup' having topped the 'Under 10' and 'Under 12' categories of the Regional youth soccer tournament.
Played at the International School of Moshi (Arusha Campus) grounds, in Kisongo the final matches in the regional football competition also saw Uganda's 'Field Dreams' winning the 'Under 14' league in the event which attracted more than 300 young players from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
The 'Alliance Academy' team from Mwanza, managed to save Tanzania's grace through finally scooping the Under-16 title in the younger category, while Arusha's 'Future Stars Academy' topped the much older group of 'Under 18.'
The East African Chipukizi Cup was organized and hosted by Arusha's 'Future Stars Academy' with the tournament being staged at ISM grounds, Meru Secondary grounds, Burka and TGT fields of Arusha.
Participating teams included seven in the under 10 category, seven more for the under 12 grouping, five teams in the Under 14 level, while Under 16 attracted four teams and Under 18 six teams.
Many of the participating teams, however, failed to make it into the finals with the Arusha District Soccer Association Chairman, Zakayo Mjema urging the players to maintain competing spirit if they are to become major players in future.
The Director of 'Future Stars' Alfred Itaeli and the team's Coach Thomas Likanga whose club hosted the competition said the aim of the 'Chipukizi Cup' was to groom young players from the region in addition to cultivating good neighbourhood relations through sports.
It was the fourth installment of the 'Chipukizi Cup' taking place in Arusha. Kenya was represented by two 'Ligi Ndogo academy teams' and 'Kabete United,' while Uganda featured 'Nsambya Academy,' 'Soccer League' and 'Field of Dreams.'
Tanzania fielded 'Future stars,' 'Yosso united,' 'Mambas Sports club,' 'Stars sport club,' 'Small Nyota' and 'Lengo united,' as well as the 'Alliance academy sports club.'
Courtesy http://allafrica.com