KWALE, Kenya – The third edition of the Base Titanium Football Tournament concluded recently at the Zigira sports grounds, with Wayzata Boys FC clinching the title after defeating Rwafa FC with a 2-0 victory. This win marked Wayzata Boys FC’s second consecutive tournament victory, featuring goals from Idd Shikeli and team captain Mbwana Kassim.
According to Kenya News Agency, this event is a key initiative by Base Titanium, a mining firm, to contribute positively to the development and nurturing of grassroots talent in the local communities near the Kwale mine site. The tournament, which brought together 32 teams from Msambweni and Lunga-Lunga Sub-Counties, reflects the company’s commitment to fostering local sports in the coastal county.
Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani, who attended the final as the Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of such opportunities for the youth. She remarked on the potential of young talent in sports, noting that many have successfully turned it into a career. Governor Achani acknowledged the support of stakeholders like Base and the county government in fostering youth development and expressed her commitment to supporting sports in the county. She urged local football teams to form companies to access tenders from the county and corporates, thereby achieving financial independence.
Governor Achani also praised Base Titanium for its role in sports development and for providing a platform for youth to exhibit their sporting talents. She highlighted the tournament’s contribution to the youth’s overall development and its role in positioning them as valuable contributors to nation-building. The Governor lauded the mining company’s efforts to use sports and wellbeing initiatives to improve the lives of local people.
Simon Wall, Base Titanium’s General Manager for External Affairs, echoed these sentiments. He outlined the tournament’s role in bringing the community together and providing a platform for youth to nurture their skills and pursue meaningful careers in sports. Wall stressed that such initiatives help to engage the youth productively, steering them away from criminal activities, drug, and substance abuse.
The winners of the tournament, Wayzata Boys FC, were awarded Sh 250,000, a trophy, football kits, and balls. The second and third runners-up received monetary prizes, jerseys, and balls. The tournament is also aimed at raising awareness about the adverse effects of drugs and substance abuse among the youth.
Base Titanium, located in the Msambweni sub-county of Kwale, is known for producing critical minerals like ilmenite, rutile, and zircon. The company’s commitment to creating opportunities for young people in sports is seen as an effort to further their growth and development in the region.