Mombasa governor Hassan Joho (l) looks on as Mombasa county speaker Aharub Khatri (centre) hands over a trophy to Shanzu ward captain on Monday. [Photo/futaa.com]
Shanzu ward are the winners of the inaugural Mombasa speaker's cup after beating Mtongwe 2-1 on Monday at the Uwanja wa Mbuzi Stadium on Monday.
The tournament is the brainchild of current Mombasa speaker Aharub Khatri and is aimed at boosting football talents in the coastal city aside from engaging the youth in a meaningful pastime.
Mombasa governor Hassan Joho who was present at the event lauded the move and promised that his government would support such initiatives to ensure that the youth in the area get an opportunity to showcase their talent.
"The county government will continue in partnerships with other sponsors to support the event as it nurtures talents within our county," Joho said.
As part of their exploits, Shanzu were awarded Ksh 300,000 while Mtongwe picked Ksh 150,000 in the two-week tournament which brought on board thirty teams and two invitee teams made up of street children and orphans drawn from various wards in Mombasa.
The inaugural bonanza is set to be rolled out as an annual league for the various wards that make up Mombasa county going forward.
There have been calls for such initiatives in thre region in a bid to tame the runaway crime mostly involving young people in the larger coastal region.