J2A's commitment to promoting unity, inclusion, and gender equality through football continued to bear fruit, with a series of successful events in 2018.
In June, J2A organised a viewing party for the opening match of the Russia World Cup 2018, which was attended by four young players from Oyugis State, Western Kenya. These boys, who were guests of J2A, had never left their home village before, and the opportunity to watch Spain vs Portugal in their apartment was a memorable experience for them.
The following day, J2A collaborated with co-host MYSA to organise the Stanbic Football Festival of Friendship. This event brought together 16 teams, 64 players, and 32 coaches for a day of fun, football, and friendship. The festival included a penalty shoot-out competition, handmade footballs by Alive& Kicking, and signed inspirational autograph cards from Victor Wanyama forevery player and coach.
J2A has been working tirelessly over the past six years to promote football as a tool for unity, inclusion, and gender equality. The organisation has achieved incredible success, hosting several football festivals that brought together football for good organisations in partnership with football industry investors to showcase how football can be used for good. The most recent one was the Stanbic Football Festival of Friendship held in June 2018.
The festival was attended by 16 teams, 64 players, and 32 coaches who all came together for a day of fun, football, and friendship. J2A organised the event in collaboration with co-host MYSA. The festival included several activities,including a penalty shoot-out competition, handmade footballs by A&K, and water supplied by JIBU. Every player and coach received a signed inspirational autograph card from Victor Wanyama.
The festival was a huge success, and the action on the field was thrilling. The boys and girls displayed fantastic skills, and everyone had a great time. To make the event even more special, 64 handmade leather footballs were produced by Alive & Kicking for the tournament, and every club received an equal share at the end of the tournament.
In addition, 128 mini footballs were presented to each player, courtesy of PraxisIFM. These footballs were exclusively signed by Victor Wanyama. Trophies were presented to the Winners and Runners-up for both age groups (U10 & U14) in both 'A' and 'B' competitions, and participation medals were also awarded to each player, coach, and volunteer who played a role in making the day such a success.
The tournament was a huge success, with some fantastic skills on display from both boys and girls. Each club received an equal share of the 64 handmade leather footballs specially produced by Alive & Kicking for the tournament and kindly sponsored by Stanbic. Additionally, courtesy of Praxis IFM, 128 mini footballs exclusively signed by Victor Wanyama were presented individually toall players taking part.
The winners and runners-up for both age groups (U10 & U14) in both 'A' and 'B'competitions received trophies, while participation medals were presented toeach player, coach, and volunteer who took part in the event.
J2A's commitment to promoting football for good continued in July 2018, with the second JIBS 4 Africa tournament, the JIBS 4 Africa World Cup Challenge Trophy,taking place at Springfield Stadium. Twelve corporate teams participated in the event, playing three round-robin group matches followed by two knockout and/or play-off matches. Link Asset Services won the main trophy award, the JIBS 4 Africa World Cup Trophy 2018, while State Street won the Plate final. All teams received a participation J2A plaque award and a copy of the J2A book 2012-2017,which showcased some of the work, events, and activities undertaken by J2A in the preceding six years, and provided illustrative examples of how funds raised by J2A are spent.
Throughthese events, J2A continues to promote the power of football to bring peopletogether and foster unity, inclusion, and gender equality.
J2A's commitment to promoting football in Kenya is unwavering. The organisation has even ventured outside Nairobi, which was a first since its inception six years ago, to visit Oyugis State in Western Kenya. The drive took eight hours and covered 400km. Simon Okelo and the Wire Soccer Academy were the catalyst for this trip, having shown tremendous passion and desire to visit Nairobi in the three years since their inception. They attended coaching clinics, J2A football festivals, and even made a special trip in March 2016 to meet Ricky Weir and say 'Hello.'
Simon organised over 45 local coaches to attend a J2A coaches' clinic in Oyugis State, and they traveled from far and wide to attend. One coach even journeyed over 80km to be there. Jean-Paul Byiringiru, inspired by Simon's passion,traveled from Rwanda for over 36 hours by bus through Uganda to attend the event. The dedication and commitment of these coaches is truly inspirational,putting J2A's eight-hour drive in an air-conditioned vehicle into a different ight.
J2A continues to promote football as a tool for unity, inclusion, and gender equality in Kenya. The organisation's commitment to the cause is unwavering,and it is heartening to see the positive impact they are making on young boys and girls in Kenya.
