The Extreme Sports Limited, the organizers of the Super 8 football league, held vicennial celebrations to mark 20 years since the inception of the league which was founded in the year 2003.
The celebrations on 8th September, in coincidence with the number ‘eight’ granted an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable milestone of 20 years in the promotion of grassroots football and youth empowerment.
It was a night marked with pomp and color graced by dignitaries, captains of various industries and stakeholders in the country and saw the top three teams in each category featured in the last edition of Super 8 league being rewarded with cash awards and other prizes.
As part of the 20 years celebration of an extra ordinary milestone in the world of grassroots football, both the Super 8 premier and division one clubs were appreciated for their gallant and exceptional performance during the event through the corporate support of Fly Skyward Express and Garane & Somane Advocates with a prize kitty of Ksh1, 220,000 cumulatively.
Top honors in the Super 8 premier league went to Melta Kabiria who were the Super 8 Premier league winners while Githurai All Stars were the 1st runners up and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) 2nd runners up respectively.
Super 8 Division one saw Leads United scoop the top honors as the winners of the league with the 1st runners up prize going to Deportivo of Ongata Rongai. Kisa All stars were the 2nd runners up.
Extreme Sports founder and Chief Executive Hussein Mohammed has led tournament over the years playing a key role in the development of the game as well as having success stories where the tournament has produced some of the country’s football players of repute.
“As we look back on two decades of breathtaking action and look forward to the future, it’s a moment to appreciate the memories, the friendships formed, and the unforgettable experiences that have made Super 8 an integral part of Kenya’s sports history. Cheers to 20 years, and here’s to many more thrilling moments to come,” Hussein said.
At the same time, Hussein hinted at the return of the league in 2024 with the incorporation of potential partners who have expressed willingness to support grassroots football which for many years has played part in impacting on communities by either directly or indirectly creating opportunities for people to earn a livelihood.
“We are looking forward to expanding the potential of having more partners into the game and increase the value of the tournament as well as having a wider community outreach through the game. We want to see the players have a sense of belonging in conjunction with the fans,” Hussein added.
Among the players who have successfully launched their football careers stemming from their involvement with Super 8 include former Harambee stars Captain Victor Wanyama, Gor Mahia FC goal keeper trainer Bonface Oluoch, Former Gor Mahia winger Innocent Mutiso, Tuskers’s Brian Bwire and AFC duo of Kayci Odhiambo and Lewis Bandi.
The league has over the years attracted support from the corporate world that has come in to support this initiative. It is the meticulous and transparent organization of the league that has motivated companies to join hands with Extreme Sports in the promotion of grassroots football which actually also greatly contributes to the development of a future generation of great sports icons all the way from the grassroots to the top level.
“We are thrilled by our partnership with Super 8 league and look at having a long journey with the league in the promotion and development of grassroots football as a long-term way which we jointly help in molding great talents, open up avenues for them to explore their potential and in the process build a great society,” said Mohammed Omar of Fly skyward express.
Among others who spoke during the event and congratulated Hussein for the exemplary work he has done over the two decades included the EALA MP Hon. Hassan Omar Hassan, Dagorreti south MP Hon.John Kiarie, Director of Marketing & sales Jubilee holding madam Caroline Ndungu.
It was a time to reflect on the incredible journey and express gratitude to those who have over the years contributed to the success of Super 8 which takes resilience, passion, and courage to organize meticulously and execute the top caliber tournament year in year out catapulting it to top echelons in Kenya’s football architecture broadly recognized at the international level. Super 8 has left a lasting mark on the world of grassroots football.
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