Coastweek --
Oshwal Academy Mombasa saw an unprecedented number of people
flock to the compound.
They were all
here to take part in the Watoto Africa Soccer Awards (WASA),
the annual festival is in its 9th edition since
it started in Mombasa and Uganda.
This year, the
festival kicked off the schools’ tournament with 104 teams drawn
from 18 schools.
The participating
WASA attracted teams from both Mombasa and Kilifi County.
The first day saw 5
tournaments take place.
These were; the
under 6, under 7, under 9 girls, under 9 boys and under 11
girl’s tournaments.
WASA festival also
welcomed debutant teams from Sheikh Khalifa high school, SOS
School and Shree Swaminarayan academy.
While flagging of
the tournaments, the founder and CEO of WASA Mariam Mpaata
expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the participants and
stakeholders.
Additionally, she
called for more support in football initiatives like WASA which
are meant to keep youth positively engaged.
This year’s theme
was to create a space where Fun, Talent, Passion and Diversity
can be exercised on one pitch.
Despite interference
by rains, the first weekend saw Kivukoni School won the under 6
mixed gender tournament beating hosts Oshwal 2-0 in a hotly
contested final.
There were also
triumphs for Loreto Convent Primary who scooped the under 11
girls crown after edging out Light academy.
Hosts Oshwal Academy
bounced back from losing the under 6 title to win the under 9
girls category while Jaffery Academy reigned supreme in the
under 7 category.
The second weekend
also saw plenty of action as Greenwood Groove Academy stomped to
the under 17 girls’ final squaring out with juggernauts Oshwal
Academy.
However, the finals
game played during the week, saw an Oshwal come back to win 3- 1
on penalties.
During the under 15
boys tournaments, there was jubilation from Shree Swaminarayan
as they overcame a stubborn Aga Khan High school side in
post-match penalties to win the title.
In winning the under
15 category, Shree became the first debutant team to win any
category in the 9th WASA edition.
The team’s success
was pegged so much on star player Imran who put in virtuoso
performances in virtually all the games the team played
including a 5-0 demolition of Mombasa Academy.
He finished the
tournament with 6 goals effectively handing his teammates’
much-needed silverware.
Also prevailing on
the second weekend was Jaffery academy who beat Oshwal on
penalties to win the under 15 girls’ tournament.
Islanders MM Shah
made their participation count by winning the under 13 girls
tournament after trouncing Aga Khan Primary 2-1.
The first two
weekends of WASA 2018 drew mixed reactions from the coaches and
fans alike.
Mr Tom Amumi of
Oshwal Academy while lauding his under 9 girls team for winning
the category, bemoaned sloppiness that cost his school more
triumphs in other age groups that they have traditionally
excelled.
Mr. Ogaro Dennis of
Kivukoni School was over the moon with his flying under 6 team
and similar feelings were visible in Mr. Yassir of Shree who
overcame astronomical odds to win the under 15 boys category on
the first attempt.
The WASA Schools’
tournaments is however is yet to be concluded as under 17 boys
tournament is yet to be played while under 11 girls, under 9
boys and 13 boys are yet to play their final matches to
determine the winners.
WASA Community
tournaments on the other hand begin right after Ramadan with
community teams taking part.
This year WASA team
registrations went up almost by half.
The total teams
registered by schools this year went from 80 to 120 teams while
the community teams are likely to hit another 100.
WASA’s vision is to
involve as many children as possible and to use the platform to
spearhead diversity.
After a total of 18
tournaments, proudly making WASA East Africa’s Biggest Youth
Football Festival, the deserving winners will be recognized
during the prestigious WASA Gala set to take place on 30th
June at Oshwal Academy. |