Parents and guardians of the kids who received their monies expressed pleasure after the cash awards were deposited to their kids’ bank accounts in the lengthy process that happened at the regional commissioner’s office on Friday, 9 February.The monies were disbursed to those who took top honors in the inaugural Talanta Hela U19 football tournament.The tournament, which concluded on Jamhuri day, December 12, 2023, started at the grassroots level in all 47 counties, with 16 teams, 8 from each gender, qualified for the nationals held in Nairobi.Homa Bay, Busia clinch Talanta Hela Inter-County tournament titlesNow slightly over a month later, the teams that excelled in the tournament are about to harvest the fruits of their hard work.Initially scheduled for prompt disbursement, the cash awards faced a slight delay due to delayed submission of some players’ bank account details.All the regional winners comprising 12 teams from both the girl’s and boy’s categories received Ksh500,000 each, totaling Ksh12 million.The tournament winners walked away with Ksh5 million while the second and third-place finishers were set to pocket Ksh3 million and Ksh2 million respectively.The fourth-place finishers went home Ksh1 million richer making the total amount of the awards for the national tournament Ksh22 million. Overall, Ksh34 million was used for awards to the regional and national winners.##NAJAVA_MECA_7862694##Speaking to Mozzart Sport, the parents could not contain their joy, giving thanks to God for the achievement.“I am very happy for today. We have received what we were waiting for. Despite lots of issues, we are happy to finally get the money in our lines. As parents, we want to thank S Ababu Namwamba. Our children have received material to study and to further develop their skills. Today is a very big day. We are very happy,” Paul Bwire, a parent of Busia student disclosed.Agolla Opiang, a parent of a Kisumu High School kid noted that she would buy a cow to celebrate the joyous moment. She was pleased that her child was earning from his talent.“I want to thank the Talanta Hela team. It has taken our kids, trained them, and they finally received their money. I am very happy today. We have seen the hand of God. I also want to thank Ababu because of him, our children are earning from their talents,” Opiang revealed.FKFPL: Gor Mahia frustrated for second consecutive weekend as Nairobi City Stars reduce gapShe further underscored the importance of the tournament in helping the school-going children avoid negative societal norms.“This tournament will help the idle kids at home get busy. Instead of engaging in harmful societal norms, they will be busy discussing how to get better in their football career. I will pay school fees for my children. I am also going to buy a cow so that when I look at it every day, I see the Talanta Hela,” she averred.Busia County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Culture, and Social Services Paul Olunga Ekwenye was pleased that his team emerged victorious in the ladies category, noting that they were thoroughly sharpening their claws to retain their title.KAS holds the second Talanta Hela camp in Nairobi“I want to say that though there was a little bit of delay, I want to confirm that all the 25 players have received Ksh160,000 and the officials have received Ksh200,000.The girls have promised that they will keep the fine form going.”They will pay their fees, buy them training kits, and improve the quality of life for the players. We are happy that 17 players were selected for the Harambee Starlets team. We will continue supplying more talent to the national team because Busia is a hub of talents,” Ekwenye concluded.Homabay County won the men’s category after beating Kisumu 4-2 in the final while Busia emerged victorious in the girl’s category after dazzling Kisumu 2-1.
