KPL Hails Gor, Leopards For Gesture That Found 3 Lost Children
22nd May 2019
Eternal rivals carried aloft posters of lost youngsters ahead of weekend showdown at Kasarani in place of child mascots
- In a statement, the governing body of the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) declared the initiative that was a partnership between the most-decorated clubs, KPL and Missing Child Kenya had been a huge success
- By doing so the AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players; raised awareness about the alarming trend of missing children and the efforts being made to find them and reunite them with their families
- Gor beat Leopards 3-1 with a Nicholas Kipkurui brace in either half and a third from Jacques Tuyisenge to inch closer to a record extending 18th league crown
NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) on Tuesday hailed Mashemeji Derby arch rivals Gor Mahia FC and for their pre-match gesture where they brought to attention the plight of missing children, leading to the recovery of three.
In a statement, the governing body of the SportPesa Premier League (SPL) declared the initiative that was a partnership between the most-decorated clubs, KPL and Missing Child Kenya had been a huge success.
"This support was shown through players of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players walking to the pitch while holding posters of missing children which had been verified by Missing Child Kenya.
"Images of the players carrying the posters were broadcast to a live audience which was following the match on the KPL Facebook Page and KTN News Channel.
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"The players’ carrying posters of the missing children was also a tribute to the worldwide practice of footballers being accompanied to the pitch by child mascots.
"By doing so the AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players; raised awareness about the alarming trend of missing children and the efforts being made to find them and reunite them with their families, and sensitized the public about the need to protect children, and therefore, by extension, contribute to the preservation of the age-old tradition of child mascots accompanying footballers to the pitch," the press brief outlined.
Found safe
"KPL is delighted to learn that three children whose photographs had been carried by AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia players have since been found safe and reunited with their families. The three children who have been found and reunited with their families are Chantel Gift Osebe (13 years old), Evamariserah Murugi (16 years old), and Prudence Khavugwi (11 years old).
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"Sport holds great power to rally people to support causes like this which benefit the community and make the world a safe and better place for our children. According to statistics provided by Missing Child Kenya, 388 children have been reported missing this year.
"We call on the public to support this initiative and share information about missing children with the relevant authorities and child protection organizations so that they can be found and reunited with their families," the statement added.
Gor beat Leopards 3-1 with a Nicholas Kipkurui brace in either half and a third from Jacques Tuyisenge to inch closer to a record extending 18th league crown with Vincent Oburu late fine strike only serving to salvage some pride for Ingwe who have not tasted victory against the old enemy in 11 Mashemeji derbies.
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