Naema Celestine 
LENNICK WANYONYI
Safaricom has officially flagged off the central regional finals’ games of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba football tournament at Nice Town in Mwea with a series of community outreach initiatives aimed at transforming the lives of the locals in the region.
The initiatives involve a free Medical Camp hosted by the M-PESA Foundation in partnership with Zuri Health and Lion SightFirst Eye Hospital at Thiba North Grounds on Saturday in Mwea, where over 3000 residents benefitted from the initiative. There will be free digital and financial literacy training, which will take place at Nice Town Hotel on Thursday.
This training is designed for Boda Boda riders, vendors, small business operators, shopkeepers, and others who are Safaricom customers in the region. Its aim is to impart knowledge that fosters a culture of saving and enhances preparedness for credit and investment opportunities.
Additionally, there will be players and coaches’ clinics which will feature valuable lessons in skill development, social values, teamwork, and leadership. Coaches will gain insights into effective training methods, tactical approaches, and ways to motivate and communicate with players.
The clinic will also involve training on the use of Safaricom’s newly introduced GPS Sports Vests, which are AI-powered to improve players’ performance and open up scouting opportunities. They are used to capture data about players, including total distance, speed, power plays, power scores, among others. This allows players to understand their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement and more.
Further, Safaricom Foundation will also have a partners’ forum in the region where they will cascade and disseminate the 2024 strategic agenda for the region in key sectors of education, health and economic empowerment.
The community engagement initiatives will then build up to the Safaricom Chapa Dimba regional final matches, to be played on Saturday, 23rd, and Sunday, 24th March 2024, at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County, with eight teams (four boys’ and four girls’ teams) lining up for the competition. They include: Barcelona FC (Laikipia), Kartzville FC (Kirinyaga), St. Joseph Sec (Murang’a), Kiwanja Queens (Kiambu), Karatina Homeboyz (Nyeri), Lysa FC (Laikipia), Kiaga Sec (Kirinyaga) and M-PESA Foundation (Kiambu).
