Malaba, Kenya – Butula Starlets emerged victorious in the NGAAF-Busia ‘Cheza Ball Zuia Ball’ football tournament, clinching the title after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Chakol Queens from Teso South at Malaba Stadium. The final, concluding in a 5-4 penalty score, followed a goalless draw through the regulation 90 minutes. The victory marked a significant achievement for the unbeaten Starlets, who represented their ward at the county level.
According to Kenya News Agency, Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo, the tournament, featuring 64 teams from 35 wards, aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) in the region. Omanyo highlighted the importance of the event in educating the community, particularly during school holidays, about the impacts of GBV, which hinders women’s empowerment and societal progress.
The tournament also served as a platform to convey messages to men, urging them to support girls’ education and empowerment, encapsulated in the slogan ‘Cheza ball, zuia ball’ (Play ball, prevent [gender-based violence]). Butula Starlets demonstrated their prowess throughout the tournament, defeating Matayos 2-0 and Teso North’s Aboloi FC 1-0 to reach the finals.
Aboloi FC, bouncing back from their semifinal loss, secured a third-place finish with a 1-0 victory over Matayos. In another notable match, Soccer Sisters from Funyula outplayed Mungatsi FC from Nambale, winning 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. Chakol Queens, participating in the FKF women’s league, showcased their skills by defeating Budalangi Queens 2-0 in their opening match.
In the tightly contested semifinal between Soccer Sisters and Chakol Queens, the game went to penalties, where Chakol’s goalkeeper Benda Auma’s remarkable performance led her team to the final.
Busia County faces significant challenges, with approximately 21% of girls aged 15-19 years beginning childbearing, a rate higher than the national average of 18%. Butula Starlet Captain Sheila Adongo attributed their team’s success to consistent training, discipline, and parental support. Soccer Sister Head Coach Doreen Akinyi called for more initiatives to nurture talent in alignment with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Participants in the tournament received training kits and incentives, fostering team building and skill development at the grassroots level.