Appeals for a Modern Stadium Dominate Sisi ni Dola Cup Launch in Mombasa

The introduction of the Sisi ni Dola Cup in Mombasa has revitalised the demands by passionate sports stakeholders in the coastal areas to have the national government build a modern, international standard stadium in the area.

With the tournament beginning, and young souls energized by the enthusiasm of the game, the leaders of football complained bitterly about the continued failure to pay attention to the sports infrastructure within the Mombasa County which is the second-largest city in Kenya.

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Rajab Babu, the former coach of Kenya national beach soccer team and the current Chairperson of Mombasa Sports Club complained about the long drawn out renovation of Mombasa Municipal Stadium. He called the state of affairs a national embarrassment, regretting the snail pace of development in spite of the significance of the facility to regional and national sports.

“Why is it taking so long?” Babu questioned. Mombasa is the second biggest city in Kenya and we do not have a decent stadium. It’s shameful. Our athletes deserve better.”

Babu who also was the former Chief Executive Officer of Sports in Mombasa county disclosed that he had started the renovation of the stadium a number of years ago. Though certain rehabilitation efforts have recently been reinstated, he claimed the efforts are way below expectations.

I am pleased, said he, that, after a long absence, the work has been resumed. But that is not all we want–we must have finish. The national government needs to intervene and have the Coast region well equipped with a full-fledged stadium. We had been supplying nearly half the players in the national football team but we are falling behind. Our youths require hope and prospects. Football may bring both-it is not only a sport, it is an income.

Alamin Ahmed Abdalla, the Chairperson of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) branch, based in Mombassa echoed these sentiments when he urged the government to focus on investing in sports as a means of empowering young people and preventing crime.

Alamin encouraged all stakeholders to unite efforts to protect our youth against bad habits like the DOLA initiative is doing. Government is spending billions of shillings on security annually-supposing even a small percentage of that went to sports, we would not witness as many young people becoming involved in drugs or crime. Youths will heed their coaches more than they will heed their parents. That’s the power of sports.”

He stressed that sports did not only breed discipline and the spirit of teamwork but also provided genuine economic opportunities. He thinks the high unemployment rate and insecurity issues among the youth of the region can be overcome by investing in adequate facilities and organized tournaments.

Even the Sisi ni Dola Cup has been heralded as a significant move towards the revival of football in the Coast region. The month-long competition involves 20 teams representing Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties all to compete over a grand cash prize of KSh 500,000. It is the hope of the organizers that in the aftermath of the competition, raw talent can be identified and nurtured through the event itself.

Hassan Ibrahim Kipapa, the Director of Sports in the DOLA Group, pointed out that the project is not merely about entertainment. It is an intentional initiative to empower youth and bridge talent and opportunity.

As leaders, we need to recognize and develop talent, and yet we need to show these young players how to balance their talent with their education, Kipapa explained. This year we are doing it the different way. I reckon that some of the players who compete in this event will be spotted by leading clubs and have the opportunity to further their football careers.

The tournament was launched with a thrilling opening match between Congo boyz and Nyundo FC at the Mombasa sports club ground. Nyundo led early in the first half by Rodgers “Okuse” Okumu but Congo Boyz stormed back. Shawn Paul and Kassim Beuhi scored second-half goals to give Congo Boyz a 2-1 win and provide a preview of a highly energetic competition to come.

With the Sisi ni Dola Cup ongoing, the thunderous theme of the football community in Mombasa is clear: it is time to give the government a modern stadium that can represent the rich history and endless possibilities of the area in terms of sport. To most, this would not only improve the standards of local sporting activities but also offer thousands of young people the hope, pride and jobs they so badly need.