Tusker Pre-season Tournament 2014.

Our team Mathare North Rangers F.C was honored to play in the Tusker pre-season tournament organized by Tusker F.C management. This was an opportunity for exposure  and we thank Francis Kimanzi ( Head coach – Tusker FC), Willis Wafula ( Tusker FC Team Manager) and Leonard Odipo ( Assistant Coach Tusker F.C) for creatively engaging  and preparing teams from the National Wide League, Kenya Premier League (KPL) and the community clubs  in a one week competitive tournament before the start of the league.

Mathare North Rangers F.C Vs. Tusker FC

Many are the times small club like ours are locked out from playing friendly matches with the established clubs,  especially those  that play in the Nationwide and Kenyan Premier League. The question that we always ask ourselves is, how do you maintain the generational change in these clubs if playing friendly matches with the small community clubs  isn’t encouraged? And how do top clubs ensure that they promote new talents without recycling a big percentage of players from the same league? This is why in a special way we thank Tusker F.C management for taking the lead in surfing the uncharted waters of exposing talents and connecting clubs through this tournament hosted at their stadium in Ruaraka, Nairobi County.

The Objectives Of The Tournament
As much as there was no  prize money it was indeed a worthwhile experience for coaches, referees, clubs and players before the start of official league matches.  In a nutshell, these were the objectives;

• Connect clubs and players through a competitive environment.
• Give the players  exposure to playing in the top league environment.
• The coaches to sharpen their teams before the start of the league.

The tournament featured the following teams: Posta (National Wide), Nakumatt (National Wide),  Inter City(National Wide), Tusker F.c(Kenya Premier League), Mathare North Rangers (Community football), K.Sharks (National Wide), Stima (Nation Wide) and Talanta (National Wide).
Inspiring and nurturing young talent through football is our agenda, and we will continue pursuing the same vision despite the challenges that we encounter. It is unfortunate young talent in football has been  mismanaged for many years and at Wilsen Initiative (Wi) through our football club Mathare North Rangers F.C, we would like to help the youth reach their desired peak in playing football by providing good coaching and mentorship using football while encouraging the soccer players to attend extra education which will help secure their future when their playing time is over.
Lastly, we thank all the well wishers that helped our team commute daily to Ruaraka sports grounds and also organized  two day's of lunch for the players.

In a special way we thank our councilor Oscar Lore,  Wilson Masaka (Wilsen Founder), Thomas Abungu (Wilsen Coordinator), Sammy Okinda (KCB goal keeper), Samwel Baraza ( Wilsen Co-founder) Jeff ( Mathare North Rangers senior captain) Patrick Olouch ( Metro Sports) Ochola ( 11 brothers) Edwin Kipkoech ( Mathare North Rangers Captain) Kennedy Onyango ( Team Coordinator), Jirus ( F.c Santos Coach), Kimesh ( Secretary Mathare North Rangers), Kamuzi Banda ( Player Mathare North Rangers), Male ( Mathare North Rangers F.C) just to mention but a few.
“While you build bridges for yourself always remember to create extra bridges for others to cross into successful land. Always remember success is a marathon and not a  sprint and one day will reach the finish line”. Wilsen Initiative founder (Wilson Masaka)

Written by Evaline Akida
Wilsen Initiative girls project