Extreme Sports Limited, the organisers 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 September 8, 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 the Super 8 league being rewarded with cash awards and other prizes. As part of the 20-year celebration of an extraordinary 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.
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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 first runners up and Technical University of Kenya (TUK) second runners up respectively. Super 8 Division One saw Leads United scoop the top honors as the winners of the league with the first runners-up prize going to Deportivo of Ongata Rongai. Kisa All Stars were the second runners-up.
Extreme Sports founder and Chief Executive Hussein Mohammed has led the 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,” said Hussein.
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 a part in impacting 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 increasing 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,” added Hussein.
Among the players who have successfully launched their football careers stemming from their involvement with Super 8 include former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama, ex-Gor Mahia goalkeeper trainer Boniface Oluoch, former Gor Mahia winger Innocent Mutiso, Tuskers’s Brian Bwire and AFC Leopards 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 organisation 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.