Category: News
Date published: June 24, 2016

Koppert Kenya sponsors local soccer academy

At Koppert Kenya, we believe in making a difference through collaboration and partnership to support the well-being of our communities and environment. On April 15th 2016, we collaborated with Ravine Soccer Centre to host a sporting tournament to highlight how hard work, determination and teamwork can lead to success.

The goal was to make an impact in the lives of children and youth of Eldama Ravine in Baringo County, Kenya, who have considerable talent, but without the necessary resources to nurture it.

The Ravine Soccer Centre is a youth sports program founded in 2010 by Ravine Roses, also known as Karen Roses. The intention was to provide the children of Ravine Roses’ staff with a place where they could come and play their favourite game under the watchful eye of experienced trainers and coaches.

However, over the years, the Centre has spread its reach to involve the children and youth in the local community and its environs. This is done through a youth sports program which seeks to train, coach and provide the beneficiaries with an opportunity to learn and nurture their sporting talents in a well-structured and enabling environment outside their normal school life.

The Ravine Soccer Centre’s sports curriculum is designed by competent coaches and caters to over 400 children. The program was born out of the need to give the youth a chance to showcase and nurture their talent in a fun environment with proper structures and training regimens. It aims to integrate other initiatives like mentorship, community service, entrepreneurship, environmental conservation among others to help mould the kids into productive and well-rounded members of society.

In recognition of this amazing initiative supported by one of our clients -Ravine Roses, Koppert Kenya sponsored a Football Tournament at the Centre grounds. Speaking about the sponsorship, Koppert Kenya General Manager, Charles Macharia, said, “We are happy to finally see this day come through. Ravine Roses director, Robert Kotut has been urging us to be part of it for a long time. He truly believes in the talent of the children at the Centre. We are therefore glad to join in and do what we can to further support this project:”

The Tournament did not only involve the children from the centre, but also the staff of Koppert Kenya and Ravine Roses. This gave everyone a chance to display great sportsmanship and an equal chance to either kick ball, roll in the dirt or shout their voices hoarse. At the end of the grueling but rewarding day, deserving players and teams were awarded with trophies. The Centre team was also presented with new uniforms, training kits and footballs. It was indeed a great opportunity to celebrate the big dreams of the Centre.

Chris Bunei, the Centre coach concluded: “Everybody here at Ravine Soccer Centre is excited about the sponsorship. Koppert has a solid reputation for reliability at Ravine Roses and we are very grateful for their support. The youth club is already looking forward to playing in their new kits and we look forward to a long and happy relationship.”