Busia: Hundreds of learners from three public schools in Kericho gathered at Highlands Primary for the second 'Enabling Leadership Play League Day,' where 26 teams competed in football matches designed to foster leadership, teamwork, discipline, and essential life skills. According to Kenya News Agency, the boys and girls from Highlands, Keongo, and Kerego primary schools participated in mixed-gender teams, with the top eight teams set to advance to the regional finals scheduled for the next school holiday in Kericho. The programme, now in its inaugural year in Kericho, follows Nairobi as the second county to benefit from this initiative, engaging Grade Four students in activities aimed at developing vital skills such as teamwork, discipline, confidence, communication, problem-solving, time management, and responsible decision-making through specially designed football games. Enabling Leadership Kenya Country Head Ms. Paramita Mukherjee highlighted that the programme complements classroom learning by aiding learners in identifying challenges, considering solutions, taking action, and reflecting on outcomes. Ms. Mukherjee explained that the learners participate in 48 sessions annually, each lasting 90 minutes and combining football activities with reflection and discussions to encourage thoughtful decision-making and understanding of consequences. Ms. Mukherjee further noted that while individual matches produced winners, the tournament is part of a league where teams earn cumulative points. The top eight teams among the 26 participating sides are set to advance to the Regional Finals scheduled for October. She assured that Enabling Leadership plans to expand the EL Play programme to more schools across the country, having already introduced it successfully in schools in Kericho and Nairobi. According to Enabling Leadership Programme Associate Dominic Kiplangat, the programme has enhanced learner participation in class and academic performance by offering opportunities for children to play, interact, and develo p skills outside the classroom. Keongo Primary and Junior Secondary School Head Teacher, Philemon Rono, mentioned that teachers have observed improvements in individual effort, teamwork, coordination, time management, and academic performance among learners involved in the programme. Enabling Leadership Chief Impact Officer Ms. Soujanya Jandhyala reiterated the organization's mission to equip children with leadership and life skills essential for educational success and responsible adulthood. She stated that Enabling Leadership, a global non-profit organization, currently reaches about 10,000 children aged between 11 and 15 years in India, Cambodia, Singapore, and Kenya through EL Play, utilizing football, EL Create, using music, and EL Build, incorporating building blocks and STEM activities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. Also present at the tournament were Enabling Leadership Kenya Programme Manager for Kericho Henry Ojwang, Kenya Operations Manager Emmanuel Obonyo, programme associates Edward Muchiri and Drusilla Chepkemoi, and Kerego Primary School Head Teacher Mr. David Chepkwony among others.