Safaricom has officially launched the North Eastern regional finals of the Chapa Dimba football tournament, accompanied by a series of community outreach initiatives aimed at making a positive impact on the lives of locals in the region.
The initiatives include free medical camps, stakeholders’ engagement, players’ and coaches’ clinics, and digital and financial literacy training.
The free medical camps, which took place at Garissa Level 5 Hospital, provided over 3300 people from Garissa and the surrounding community with free medical check-ups, consultations, eye and dental check-ups, blood sugar tests, blood pressure checks, and cancer screenings.
The financial digital literacy training is a collaborative effort between Safaricom and Britam Insurance Company, focusing on Boda Boda riders, vendors, small business operators, shopkeepers, and other Safaricom customers in the region.
The aim is to impart knowledge that fosters a culture of saving and enhances preparedness for credit and investment opportunities.
Peter Ndegwa, CEO of Safaricom PLC, emphasized the importance of community engagement in transforming lives, and he highlighted the growth of football in the North Eastern region. The Chapa Dimba football tournament has seen over 280 teams from North Eastern participating, showcasing the tournament’s impact on nurturing talents and uplifting the community.
The football clinic for players and coaches aims to provide valuable lessons in skill development, social values, teamwork, and leadership. Coaches will gain insights into effective training methods, tactical approaches, and ways to motivate and communicate with players.
As part of the engagement initiatives, there will be training on the use of Safaricom’s newly introduced GPS sports vests. These AI-powered vests aim to improve players’ performance and open up scouting opportunities by capturing data about players, including total distance, speed, power plays, and more.
The community engagement initiatives will lead up to the Safaricom Chapa Dimba regional final matches, scheduled to take place at Garissa University Grounds, featuring three boys’ teams in the competition. The Chapa Dimba tournament seeks to provide a structured platform for scouts and coaches to discover new talent, build feeder systems for Kenyan football leagues, and train a total of 250 coaches. The tournament targets young people aged between 16 and 20 years old.
