KDF celebrates Ulinzi KPL U20 champions

KDF celebrates Ulinzi KPL U20 champions

Ulinzi Stars chairman Col James Mwinyikai hosted the triumphant Under-20 team to a luncheon at the Lanet Barracks in Nakuru on Saturday afternoon.

The Ulinzi juniors won the third edition of the Kenya Premier League (KPL) Under-20 tournament after beating Kakamega Homeboyz 3-1 on post-match penalties in the final last weekend.

Also in attendance at the luncheon were teachers from St. Anthony’s Boys in Kitale, the school that produced ten of the 23 members of the Ulinzi junior team.

Ulinzi chairman Col Mwinyikai said; “I want to congratulate you for this good job that you have done. We decided this year to take a different approach and use schools to get our players as compared to the last time in 2013 when our scouting and team assembly mode was not up to scratch. It paid dividends.”

“I want to say thank you to the teachers at St. Anthony’s as well as Kibabii, Kanga High, Mautuma High, Kakamega High, Chebuyusi, Ambira High, Bungoma High and Gekomoni who let us use their players.”

“Also to the players, you sacrificed your school holiday to play and we don’t take that for granted. I want to assure you that this team will be maintained and those who have already finished school will be absorbed into the second team, Ulinzi Warriors as they continue to grow.”

“As a way of saying thank you, we will give support to those schools in terms of football equipment, uniforms and balls and we want this partnership to continue.”

“Finally, we want to dedicate this trophy to those soldiers who have sacrificed their time and lives for the peace of the country in Somalia. It is because of them that we play in peace.”

In attendance was St. Anthony Boys’ PTA chairman Moses Mageni, Football Patron Daniel Oronje and Games Master Peter Mayoyo.

Ibrahim Shambi, the team captain who finished Form Four at Kathungi High School last year said; “We thank the management for the support they have given us and the teachders as well for allowing the players to come.

“We could not have done it without your support. To every player, as a captain I want to say thank you for the team work and discipline which played a major role in helping us win this trophy.”

Shambi and his assistant Vincent Ochieng had already been training with the senior team after High School last year, having been scouted by coach Robert Matano during the school games.

Ochieng played for Kakamega High School.

The chairman made a personal reward to the players, each a pair of boots and souvenir Ulinzi kits. The prize money of Sh500,000 was also shared between the players.

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Ulinzi Stars KPL Under 20 Colonel JS Mwinyikai

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