The final leg of Phase One of the PS Ismail Tournament concluded today in Takaba, Mandera West Sub-County, wrapping up a three-day event that spanned Mandera South, Banisa, and Mandera West. In a thrilling final, Blue Rangers FC triumphed over Lagsure FC, winning 4-2 on penalties to claim the Mandera West Sub-County Trophy, marking the end of this youth-focused football initiative.
A total of Ksh 1.1 million was awarded to the top teams from the three sub-counties, with each winning team receiving Ksh 200,000. Individual excellence was also recognized, with top scorers, best goalkeepers, and standout players in each sub-county taking home cash prizes ranging from Ksh 10,000 to Ksh 5,000.
Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Ismail Maalim Madey, who is the tournament’s patron, emphasized the event’s goal of engaging Mandera County’s youth in positive activities to deter them from risky behaviors such as drug abuse and delinquency.
Highlighting the unifying power of sports, PS Maalim reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to identifying, nurturing, and monetizing talents across all corners of the country. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in Mandera, Isiolo, or Tana River. If you have talent, we have put in place measures to tap into, nurture, and monetize your abilities, both in sports and the creative economy, providing you an opportunity to build a decent livelihood,” said Maalim.
He also stressed the importance of such initiatives in changing the narrative around Northern Kenya saying: “For too long, the Northern region has been viewed as distant and insecure. But with youth engagement like this, we can channel their energy toward meaningful contributions to national development, steering them away from vices like radicalization.”
A total of 66 clubs participated in Phase One, with the second phase scheduled for the December holiday, targeting Mandera East, Mandera North, and Lafey sub-counties.
