1. Training and Friendly Matches
Sessions: The club intensified its training sessions to five times a week due to school closures, focusing on individual skills, team tactics, and overall conditioning.
Friendly Matches: In the early days of August, the U10, U14, U17, and girls' categories played against teams like Pacho United, Nyalenda United, and Superstrikers, showcasing impressive performances.
Additional friendly matches were held on August 13th to maintain match fitness and test strategies for upcoming tournaments.
2. Tournament Participation
CFK Tournament: The club's U14 boys' and girls' teams participated in the CFK tournament and successfully qualified for the finals, scheduled for September. This achievement highlights the growing strength and potential of the club’s youth teams.
FESTAC Africa Tournament: Nyalenda Youngstars had the honor of participating in the Festac Africa tournament, a prestigious event with deep roots in African culture. Festac Africa is a historic organization that unites people from across the continent, celebrating cultural diversity through various activities, including sports. The tournament offered a vibrant platform for the club to showcase its talent and ethos to a diverse audience.
The boys' and girls' teams both secured third-place finishes, a commendable achievement given the level of competition. Beyond the matches, the event was an opportunity for Nyalenda Youngstars to enhance its visibility, painting a vivid picture of the club's potential on a continental stage. The exposure at Festac Africa not only highlighted the players' skills but also aligned the club with a broader cultural movement, bringing together people from different parts of Africa in a shared celebration of heritage and sport. This participation has undoubtedly raised the club's profile and opened doors for future opportunities.
3. Girls' Team Development
- The club continued its efforts to increase the girls' team size, aiming to reach 30 members. Tailored training sessions focused on building their confidence, technical skills, and teamwork.
4. Club Office Renovations and Maintenance
Electricity Fixation: Office renovations included critical repairs to the electricity supply, creating a more conducive environment for administrative tasks.
Further Improvements: Plans were laid for additional enhancements to make the office more welcoming and efficient.
5. Tournament Planning
The club actively planned its 4th tournament, involving U16, U13, and a girls' team, with 12 teams participating. This event is set to bolster the club’s visibility and competitiveness in the local football scene.
6. Partnerships and Resources
The club pursued potential partnerships to secure resources such as footballs, kits, jerseys, and other essentials. These partnerships were crucial in ensuring the club's continued growth and success.
Key Partnerships: The psychosocial aspect of the club’s activities was significantly bolstered by key partners, including Better Me, which provided vital team-building activities and social work support. These efforts helped foster a supportive environment for the players, contributing to their overall well-being.
7. Social Impact and Community Engagement
The club's football project continued to impact the Nyalenda community positively, addressing challenges like lack of school fees, food insecurity, and other socio-economic issues.
Mentorship Programs: The introduction of new sports mentorship programs aimed at guiding the youth in both football and life skills.
Community Cleaning: Club members participated in a community cleaning exercise on August 14, reinforcing the importance of service and responsibility.
8. Staff and Management
New Staff Recruitment: Two new coaching members joined the team, bringing enthusiasm and fresh ideas to improve the club.
Social Workers: The club's social workers played a pivotal role in supporting the psychosocial well-being of the players, contributing to discipline and overall development.
9: Participation in HOK and Jiboreshe
We continued our good relationship with HOK and participated in various activities in the Kisumu Children Remand Home.
All in all it was a busy and succesful month and we are looking forward to all the challenges ahead.
by Paul Ochieng
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