Special Feature: Donated Uniform Boosts Ngige's Big Football Dream

NAIROBI, Kenya- James Ngige is a promising footballer based in Kimende, a small, cold township within Kiambu County that is adjacent to the northern border of Kenyan capital Nairobi.

At 19, Ngige has already led area football club, Dust Raisers FC to five consecutive finals in the annual Joshua Mburu Football Tournament where his team has won four and he has emerged as the top scorer and Most Valuable Player in all of them.

This year, Ngige was once more instrumental to their run to the decider with 10 goals as his side booked a date with perennial rivals Kiambaa FC in a showdown that is the talk of the County.

The draw of the final attracts fans from Nairobi, Limuru, Naivasha and other surrounding town and Ngige’s excitement was palpable as he plotted one last hooray with the Raiders before seeking to take his skills elsewhere.

“I promise to pump goals in this final because it might be my last game here before I seek greener pasture elsewhere,” Ngige underlined.

This encounter will be different from other previous ones in that for the first time the finalists will play in full kit after 15 teams in the area received boxes of sport gear last Thursday through the Kits For Africa initiative.

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This is a programme launched by technology and entertainment business SportPesa and their European football partners where players and fans donate kit that is ferried to grassroots teams in the continent as a foundation of developing the game.

Other teams handed the uniforms were Kijabe FC, Scorpion FC, Fourways FC, Home FC, Hilton FC, Carbicide FC, Blue Line FC, Hunter FC, Express FC, Predators FC, Lari Teachers FC and Forest FC.

Most teams in the area are so poor they can hardly afford proper kitting. This has seen the players contest bare-chest or are forced to share the few torn, assorted jerseys that are borrowed during ‘high profile’ matches like this final.

Bare Chested

“We are smart in the white uniforms our team received. Everyone is happy and inspired to work hard and win the finals, our next task will be to look for boots,” Ngige emphasised.

The third born in a family of five believes the kit will give his side credibility and make them visible to scouts who come to the grassroots in search of the next big talent.

“No one can take you serious when you play bare chested but in a kit like this I feel inspired to score even ten goals,” underscored Ngige who is a Manchester United FC supporter.

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Ngige’s sentiments were echoed by players in the on-going Maai- Mahiu Premier League competition that was running 17km away from Kimende after they too received boxes from Kits for Africa.

Shakers FC captain Antony Wainaina (in green) challenges his China Best FC opponent during their Maai Mahiu Premier League match at Mafuta Taa Grounds in Nakuru County on June 20, 2019. PHOTO/ SPN

Maspa FC, All-Stars FC, Eluai FC, Puan FC, United FC, Shakers FC, China Best FC, Eagles FC, Springs FC, Karima FC, Amani FC and Santos FC were the 12 beneficiaries.

According to Shakers FC captain Antony Wainaina, some of his teammates suffered from skin diseases due to sharing of dirty, torn and borrowed shirts.

“It took us along time to treat the illnesses, we had to seek help from one of the opinion leaders who bought us drugs that were prescribed by the doctors,” noted Wainaina who is a staunch supporter of Italian champions Juventus FC.

“We are happy now that we shall not be exposed to such threats after receiving brand new uniforms today,” he underscored.

The 19-year old, who still plays barefoot scored the equaliser in their 1-1 stalemate with at the death during an encounter held at Mafuta Taa Grounds in Maai-Mahiu, Nakuru County.

Shakers are perched in position six with 14 points in the 12 team league being led by Maspa FC on 31.

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“Teams here face other several challenges apart from kits, they don’t have the KSh5000 (USD 50) to register for the league and have to depend on politicians and well wishers for funding.

More partners

“Also playing grounds are very few as most have been grabbed, teams are forced to use schools grounds which they are sometimes denied when there are functions.

“We hope the Government will step in to save sports in this region,” lamented Wainaina whose role model in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Justus Ngugi, father to Haron Kamau who plays for China, says football has kept his son busy and the unforms will inspire his son to work hard in the sport.

“I believe my son has a bright future after they were kitted. I will try my best to get him fitting shoes so he can play comfortably.

“I also know more partners will come on board to make their dream of becoming professional footballers realised,” Ngugi noted.

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Julias Kwaya, the league organiser, lamented that football in Maai Mahiu only becomes active during political campaigns.

This is the reason they came up with the on-going league to keep the youth busy and divert their attention from drugs and alcohol.

“So far the competition has united the youth, it has promoted peaceful co-existence here. 

“We have started to realise its fruits as for the first time, two players from this region namely Jane Njeri Gacheri and Stephen Chege were part of the national team that represented Kenya in Spain after the national Chapa Dimba finals,” Kwaya underlined.

“We hope to tap more talent in the second leg that will get underway in August,” he added.

SportPesa Public Relations representative, Antony Mwaki (red cap) hands over boxes of kits to the Maai Mahiu teams on June 20, 2019. PHOTO/SPN