· Tujiamini regional league Football Tournament Cheza Dimba hosted in Eldoret.
· Football was not the only talent on display with an artisanal hand-crafted trophy, stealing the spotlight.
As the Tujiamini North Rift applications closed at the end of May, Tujiamini, powered by SportPesa, hosted the prestigious Cheza Dimba tournament. The tournament which celebrates regional league football talents, sees the winning side take home KSh250,000 annual sponsorship. However, football was not the only talent on display, Mrs. Joan Leting's remarkable handcrafted submission stole the spotlight, showcasing her exceptional talent.
Among the impressive displays was a meticulously crafted wooden trophy engraved with the SportPesa logo and Tujiamini North Rift Cheza Dimba, topped with a Kenyan flag. Accompanying the trophy were four engraved calabash gourds, locally known as "sotet" among the Kalenjin community, which hold significant cultural and traditional value, often used to store fermented milk served during special occasions and celebrations.
Mrs. Joan's timely submission arrived just before the final nominated teams competed in the Cheza Dimba tournament, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as Eldoret FC emerged victorious.
When asked about her motivation behind such a remarkable submission, Mrs. Joan spoke highly of the SportPesa platform and the Tujiamini initiative, emphasizing their positive impact on her community. "I have witnessed people receiving financial support and capital to boost their businesses through this initiative," she said. "I traveled all the way to Eldoret town to lend my support to Tujiamini."
Joan further explained that her talent is a family business, and she receives invaluable support from her loving husband, Mr. Leting, who handles the intricate engraving process.
Encouraging her fellow artisans, Mrs. Leting issued a rallying cry, urging them to take pride in their work, join hands with the SportPesa Initiative, Tujiamini, and make a living from their talents.
As Tujiamini finalizes its campaigns in the western region, it extends an open invitation to all residents to submit their entries on the website. All categories – Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Cheza Dimba – remain open until June 30th. Just as the flag a top Joan's handcrafted trophy symbolizes, the aim is to raise the Kenyan flag high by supporting the nation's sportsmanship and talents.
Let us believe in ourselves and embrace the opportunities presented by initiatives like Tujiamini.