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Why Kenya's oldest grassroots football tournament ‘Koth Biro' Cup faces imminent death
Borrusia FC's Can Okeyo (right) vies for the ball with Leads United's Henry Api during the Koth Biro final at Ziwani grounds on February 6, 2022.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
What you need to know:
- The grassroots football tournament is the oldest competition in the country. It has given rise to some of the most notable footballers in the country, among them Kenyan football legends Austine ‘Makamu’ Oduor, who died in November last year, Abbas Magongo, Mahmoud Abbas, Josphat Murila, Mickey Weche and Sammy Omollo.
‘Koth Biro' Cup, an annual grassroots football tournament held at Umeme Grounds in Ziwani, Nairobi County, risks not taking place due to lack of sponsorship.
The tournament, which takes place between August and December every year, has been a major platform for local talent development. Professional players on off-season break normally join upcoming talent at the dusty Umeme Grounds in Starehe Constituency to play for various teams.
