Sports Evangelism Launching-27th September, 2008

On Saturday the 27th September 2008, CML officially launched the first Sports Evangelism Tournament at the Kitere Technical School grounds. A total of 13 (thirteen) teams are scheduled to participate in this tournament. They include 11 (eleven) Community Youth Soccer Clubs/Teams and 2 (two) teams from the local Learning Institution- Kitere Technical School and Moi Institute of Technology (MIT). The tournament is scheduled to run through to December 14th for finals.

The function started at 3pm instead of 2pm as we had scheduled because many people were coming from far walking on foot. After the opening prayer by Pastor Paul Ochieng, Brother Maurice Ambonya did a preaching session encouraging the people to choose life by choosing Jesus Christ. He shared the Scripture from Psalm 107:10-16 and encouraged the people to desist from rebelling against God’s word, but come to Him so that He can deliver them from darkness, suffering and eternal destruction.

Mr. David Atinda, the Chairman of the CML Sports Evangelism Committee then took the opportunity to invite a few community stakeholders to speak to the gathering. They all emphasized the importance of sports in uniting the community as well as helping facilitate behavior change amongst the youth.

He then gave the Head-Teacher of Kitere Technical School, the opportunity to address the people. He declared that it was a blessing for them that their Institution would host the sports tournament and encouraged good behavior from all participants throughout the tournament. He also took time to encourage everybody exercise discipline while using the school property and facilities. He ended by welcoming all to the venue.

It was then my turn to clearly let the people know the object of this occasion and the tournament as a whole. I emphasized the fact that in organizing these events, our main objective is to facilitate transformation amongst the youth and in the community as a whole. Through sports, we get to gather people together for leisure, physical exercise talent development and social interaction. However, we also get the opportunity to preach/ teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them. The love of Christ has the ultimate power for real transformation in individuals and the community. It is great to have better life, but it is better to have eternal life through Christ. For that matter, I stated that as a rule, all will be required to assemble together for prayers and preaching/teaching sessions before every match. I encouraged all to use this opportunity to interact, get to make friends and know each other deeper.

For motivation purposes, as the organizer of the tournament, on behalf of CML I had to make known to the people the prizes expected to be won by the participating teams in the finals. These are as follows:

Position 1: A trophy, a soccer ball and cash award of 5,000Kshs.
Position 2: A trophy, a soccer ball and cash award of 2,500Kshs.
Position 3: A soccer ball and cash award of 1,500Kshs.

I also made it known that CML values partnership and in this particular program, acknowledged SoccerGrow as our special partner and sponsor. CML is certainly blessed to have SoccerGrow as a partner. I let them know that SoccerGrow (http://www.soccergrow.org/) had already shown their commitment to this partnership by sending CML soccer equipment to be used in this tournament. They all applauded the partnership. I extended an invitation to other potential partners in this program.


Brother David then took us through the rest of the program. There were two matches to be played as curtain-raisers to entertain the people on this day. CML Football Club played Kitere Technical team. They tied by one goal each. Penalties had to be used to determine the winner- CML Football Club won. They later played against Kuja Sambo Football Club, which emerged the winner in the second match.


One unfortunate thing happened during the second match, one of the CML FC players incurred a fracture on his leg and we had to take him to hospital after first-aid was administered on him.

Brother David and Pastor Paul then facilitated the distribution of the soccer balls to the participating teams. Thirteen (13) teams registered for the tournament with a non-refundable fee of 200Kshs each. These are the teams which would be included in the fixture for participation in the soccer league. I presented the representatives of these thirteen teams each with a soccer ball for their training.

Thereafter, there were various announcements and Brother Ouma closed with a word of prayer before everybody departed.

Below are some pictures from the event:

Below is Pst. Paul welcoming everybody as we begin the event.

Everybody got seated...

Pst. Paul and Brother Maurice Ambonya preaching...

Then I addressed the gathering...

CML Footbal club playing against Kitere Technical School soccer team(in blue jerseys)...

We had spectators of all ages....

We even had a very creative commentator...

These young boys could not afford to miss every move in the game...they opted for a vantage point of view....on the trees...

Both teams had a brief moment during half time to strategize for the second half of the match...

The CML Team Captain emphasizing a point...

The Kitere Technical School team adviser also had points to emphasize....

Second half of the game...its getting abit darker as the sun goes down....

It was time for penalties to determine the winner...

Everybody wanted to congratulate the CML Club players after they displayed skilful penalty shots that declared them winners....

Kuja/Sambo club players seem almost anxious as they wait to play against the CML team....

David Atinda- The CML Sports Evangelism Commitee Chairman sorting out the balls for presentation to the participating clubs....He may be walking with crutches, but "Ja-Kisumu" as his nickname goes, is a man with varied abilities...


We appreciate all the participants and supporters. And we give all the glory to God Almighty.

Blessings.