Mumias West’s Nyota Academy crowned NBA tourney champions

Nyota Academy has been crowned the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) soccer tournament campions in Mumias West Sub-County.

The team emerged the winner after beating Eshihaka FC 3-0 during an entertaining soccer march final played on Thursday at Bomani Ground in Mumias town.

Musengere FC came third after beating Yatta insurance FC after a penalty shot out following a 1-1 draw Musengere FC (6) won a penalty shot out while Yatta Insurance FC got (5).

The inaugural tournament, which kicked off on September 6, attracted 112 teams from five sub-counties — Mumias East, Mumias West, Butere, Matungu and Khwisero — and will run until December 4.

Organised by the NBA in collaboration with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Kakamega Branch, the competition is being run under the main theme, “Kicking Out GMO Misinformation Through Sports”, with the supporting message, “Playing for Facts: Advancing Biosafety Awareness and Combating GMO Misinformation Through Football.”

Eshitari FC and Ibokolo FC in Butere will face each other on Saturday while on Friday Matungu BlackStars and Harambee United will battle it out in Matungu Sub-County.

In Mumias East, Bunge FC also progressed after outwitting Makwale FC 4-3 on post-match penalties following a 2-2 draw in normal time, as the race for the remaining final places continued across the five participating sub-counties.

Mumias East produced one of the most dramatic encounters of the day, with Bunge FC holding their nerve to bundle out Makwale FC 4-3 in the penalty shootout after the two sides drew 2-2 in normal time.
In Khwisero, Maroon Commandos are scheduled to face Township FC on Thursday, while Chipolopolo FC will meet Ikomero FC on Friday as the two remaining semi-final fixtures determine the teams that will progress to the finals.

According to NBA acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Ann Karimi, the initiative seeks to harness the unifying power of football to promote public awareness and understanding of biosafety, modern biotechnology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

She explained that the competition provides an opportunity to engage young people, farmers, community leaders and the general public with accurate, science-based information to counter myths and misconceptions surrounding GMOs.

“The tournament will engage youth, farmers, community leaders and the general public with accurate, science-based information on GMOs and biosafety, helping to address misconceptions and counter misinformation,” noted Karimi.

Beyond public education, the competition is also expected to contribute to grassroots football development through talent identification, improved access to playing facilities and equipment, better match organisation and stronger football administration at the sub-county level.

The organisers have integrated biosafety awareness messages into match-day activities, public-address announcements and community engagements, giving spectators opportunities to learn about biotechnology and the regulation of GMOs.

The campaign targets more than 100,000 people with factual information on biosafety while encouraging informed discussions within local communities.

The sub-county semi-finals and finals are scheduled for November 28-29, with each of the five sub-counties expected to produce a champion and runner-up.

The 10 successful teams will subsequently enter the regional qualification phase, where the five champions and five runners-up will compete for four places in the regional final stage.

In a unique arrangement, runners-up will travel to the home grounds of sub-county champions, providing them with an opportunity to upset the top teams on their own turf and qualify to the next stage.

The regional competition will run to December, culminating in the overall final and third-place playoff on December 4.

The NBA is a State Corporation established under the Biosafety Act, Cap 320 of the Laws of Kenya. It is mandated to regulate the transfer, handling and use of GMOs to safeguard human and animal health and protect the environment.