There was no reason for the Christ Offers Forgiveness For Everyone Everywhere( Coffee) Ministry fraternity not to afford a beaming smile after Murang’a Seal midfielder Lucas Maina redeemed his Mozzart Bet Cup Humanitarian Cheque and donated sporting equipment worth Ksh100,000 to the Kibera-based organisation on Monday. Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe handover ceremony was held at the Laini Saba Grounds in Kibera, where Maina honed his football skills from the age of nine under the guidance of veteran coach John Orosia. His former teammates, friends whom he grew up and schooled with in Kibera, aspiring footballers and members of the Kibera community trooped to the grounds to witness the midfielder give back to the organisation that shaped him and illuminated both his academic path and footballing career. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8931709##The Bachelor’s in Commerce (majoring in Accounting) student at Zetech University revealed that the Coffee Ministry has been partly covering his school fees through their scholarship program.He had also significantly benefited from their other programs, including academic trips, photography, football knowledge and public speaking.As a way of appreciating the impact the faith-based organisation has had in his life, Maina, who is popularly nicknamed the ‘choir master’, donated ten footballs, two sets of uniforms, a set marker, goal post nets, 30 shin guards and a backpack. “It feels good to come back home and lend a helping hand to my community here in Kibera. I launched my football career here at Laini Saba Grounds as a nine-year-old. It is through playing football here in Kibera that I landed a scholarship at St. Anthony’s Boys High School, Kitale, among other opportunities. These materials will go a long way in encouraging young footballers, who view the game as a means of transforming their lives, ” said Maina.Besides donating the sporting equipment, Maina disclosed that he occasionally tutors Mathematics and Business Studies at the institution, with other children in the slum area benefiting from his mastery of numbers. “I help children with their revision, especially when exams are around the corner. It is satisfying to see them improve both on the pitch and in academics,” added the former Ulinzi Stars midfielder. Orosia, a man who has coached in Laini Saba in the past 30 years, thanked Maina and Mozzart Bet for the kind gesture, noting that it will give their players a fresh look and new resolve to follow in the footsteps of the former national U18 midfielder. “Our gratitude goes to Mozzart Bet and Maina for considering us and sparing a thought for the hundreds of players we mentor here. This will definitely motivate our players and dignify their appearance in training and competitive matches,” said Orosia, who also mentored Maina’s teammate at Seal and former Rising Stars captain Nicholas Omondi.Sammy Odhiambo, the Director at Coffee Ministry, also expressed gratitude to Maina and the leading gaming firm for the donation. Odhiambo told Mozzart Sport that the institution not only champions the development of football, but also supports young mothers in furthering their education, among other programs.Maina, whom Kibera residents have nicknamed Arshavin, laid hands on the Humanitarian Cheque following his Man on the Match performance in the quarterfinals of the Cup against Ulinzi Stars. Seal edged the Soldiers 3-2 to advance to the last four of the tournament, whose champion will represent Kenya in the CAF Confederation Cup.
