Dr. Juma Mukhwana Launches Football Tournament to Nurture Youth Talent in Kabuchai.
Eugine Wabwile
4 min read
BY ALEX WEKESA.
The Principal Secretary for Trade and Industry, Dr Juma Mukhwana, has officially launched a football tournament dubbed the Dr Juma Mukhwana Cup, an initiative aimed at nurturing and showcasing young football talent across Kabuchai Constituency.
The colourful launch took place on Saturday at St. Joseph Nalondo Boys Grounds in Kabuchai, attracting hundreds of residents, sports enthusiasts, and local leaders who turned up to witness the kickoff of what promises to be one of the most exciting grassroots sporting events in the region.
The tournament has drawn participation from 20 teams, representing every ward in Kabuchai Constituency. According to Dr Mukhwana, the competition is designed not only to promote sportsmanship but also to create opportunities for talented young players to be scouted for professional football.
“The main objective of this tournament is to identify, nurture, and promote football talent among our youth,” Dr Mukhwana said during his address. “We want to give our young people a platform to shine and to encourage them to use their talents positively.”
Dr Mukhwana announced a package of cash prizes to reward the top-performing teams and individual players. The winning team will take home Ksh 50,000, while the first runners-up will receive Ksh 30,000. The second runners-up will pocket Ksh 20,000, and the team finishing fourth will get Ksh 10,000.
In addition, every participating team will receive KSh 5,000 as a token of appreciation for their participation and commitment.
“We want to motivate every team that takes part in this tournament. Even if you don’t win, you deserve recognition for your effort,” Dr Mukhwana emphasised.
The tournament will also honour individual brilliance, with awards lined up for the best nine players, top five defenders, and outstanding goalkeepers, each of whom will receive a trophy.
In a move that could redefine grassroots football in Kabuchai, Dr Mukhwana revealed that a team of professional football scouts from Nairobi will attend the quarter-finals and semi-finals to identify promising players who could advance to higher levels of the sport.
“This is not just a local competition, but it’s a gateway to bigger opportunities. We have invited scouts who will be keenly watching every match. Those who perform well could be recruited to play in professional leagues,” he explained.Dr. Mukhwana also unveiled plans to form a unified team at the conclusion of the tournament. The new team, to be known as Kabuchai Combine FC, will comprise the best players selected from the 20 participating teams.
“Kabuchai Combine FC will represent the entire constituency and compete with established clubs, including AFC Leopards and other national teams,” he announced, to the cheers of the crowd.
According to the tournament organisers, the grand finals of the Dr Juma Mukhwana Cup will be held on 31st December 2025 at the Namilama Secondary School Grounds in Kabuchai Constituency, Bungoma County.
The highly anticipated final match is expected to attract senior government officials, county leaders, football federation representatives, and thousands of sports lovers from across the region. The date was intentionally set to coincide with New Year’s Eve celebrations, allowing residents to end the year on a festive and unifying note.
“We want the finals to be a grand community celebration, a day for families, fans, and football enthusiasts to come together and celebrate our youth,” said Dr Mukhwana. The PS underscored the importance of discipline, urging all participants to uphold sportsmanship before, during, and after the tournament.
“Discipline is key in sports and in life. I urge all players and fans to maintain respect and unity throughout the tournament. Let this be a celebration of talent, peace, and togetherness,” he said. Dr Mukhwana added that sports play a vital role in uniting communities and keeping young people engaged in positive activities, helping to steer them away from crime, substance abuse, and idleness.
“When our youth are busy with constructive activities like football, we build a healthier and more focused society,” he remarked.
Local leaders and residents praised the PS for his continued support of community development initiatives. Many lauded his efforts to use sports as a tool for empowerment and youth engagement.Mr Peter Wekesa, a coach of one of the participating teams, said the tournament had brought a sense of excitement and optimism to the area.
“This is a great opportunity for our young players to showcase their abilities. We’ve never had such an organised event that brings everyone together,” he said. Spectators at the launch also expressed enthusiasm, noting that the competition would help discover hidden talents that could put Kabuchai on the national football map.
“Our boys are talented. With such platforms, they can now be seen and possibly join big teams in the country,” said Ms Mary Naliaka, a resident.
Dr Mukhwana reaffirmed his commitment to supporting sports infrastructure and talent development in Kabuchai and beyond. He hinted at plans to establish a football academy in the constituency to provide consistent training and mentorship for upcoming players.
“This is just the beginning. Our vision is to make Kabuchai a centre of football excellence. With continued support and discipline, our youth can achieve greatness,” he concluded.
