SIAYA: Ugunja and Alego/Usonga constituencies emerged as the champions in the Siaya County football tournament, earning their place in the upcoming regional National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) soccer tournament in Kisumu. The victorious teams clinched their spots during the NG-CDF Siaya County football tournament finals held at the Siaya KMTC grounds.

According to Kenya News Agency, Ugunja Constituency showcased a remarkable performance, defeating Bondo Constituency with a score of 3-1. Simultaneously, in the women’s category, Alego/Usonga ladies outplayed their Ugunja counterparts, securing a 1-0 victory.

The path to the finals witnessed intense competition, with Ugunja Constituency beating Gem Constituency 2-1 in the semi-finals. Bondo and Rarieda Constituencies had a tense match that ended in a goalless draw, followed by a nail-biting penalty shootout that saw Bondo win 5-4. In the women’s semi-finals, both Ugunja and Alego/Usonga achieved 1-0 victories over Gem and Rarieda, respectively.

The event attracted a large audience, including notable figures such as Siaya Governor James Orengo and several legislators like Samuel Atandi (Alego/Usonga), Otiende Amollo (Rarieda), and Dr. Christine Ombaka (Woman representative). Governor Orengo emphasized the importance of early talent identification and nurturing to enable local players to compete internationally. He cited global soccer icons like Lionel Messi, whose talents were recognized and developed from a young age.

In addition to celebrating the football tournament’s success, Governor Orengo announced the upcoming Governor’s Cup tournament. He encouraged grassroots teams to participate, with the finals scheduled for January 1st, 2024, at Migwena grounds in Bondo. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to foster sporting talent and provide platforms for local athletes to showcase and develop their skills.