This weekend, the spotlight shifts to Kinoru Stadium in Meru County, as eight teams gear up for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional finals.

With four boys' and four girls' teams in contention, the stage is set for an intense clash for regional supremacy.

Kicking off the showdown on Saturday, Mavoko Starlets from Machakos will face Syomunyu Secondary from Kitui County in a battle of skill and determination.

The excitement continues with Garbatula United from Isiolo County taking on Predators from Embu in a highly anticipated boys' match.

Expressing readiness for the upcoming matches, Sean Opwora, Head Coach of Chuka University Scorpions, stated, "Our plan is to play a tactical game, knowing that our opponents are also very strong. We are determined to win and get a chance to represent our county and the region at large in the national finals."

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"I am equally impressed with the Chapa Dimba initiative, and I believe two or three of my players will be scouted to be among those who will be going to Spain next year," Opwora added.

In the girls' category, Saku Queens from Marsabit will vie for the title against Chuka University Starlets in a match brimming with anticipation.

The pinnacle of Saturday's action will witness the clash between Machakos Boys and the Chuka University Scorpions, the newly crowned champions of Tharaka Nithi County.

This encounter promises to be a thrilling spectacle for football enthusiasts.

Participants in the Chapa Dimba tournament battling out on the pitch. PHOTO/COURTESY

The journey to the regional finals began with grassroots games, progressing through sub-county, county, and inter-county playoffs across the eight Eastern Region counties, involving a staggering 444 teams.

Preceding the weekend matches, players and coaches will participate in clinics at Kinoru Stadium, focusing on various aspects of the tournament.

Safaricom has introduced GPS Sports Vests to aid in player scouting by collecting data and building profiles using globally recognized metrics during the matches.

Sunday's finals will determine the regional champions, with each winning team (boys and girls) securing Sh250,000 and a coveted slot in the national finals scheduled for early next year.

Runners-up teams will receive Sh150,000 each, and individual accolades, including Best Goalkeeper, Top Scorer, and Most Valuable (boys and girls), will be rewarded with Sh30,000 each.

Apart from the prize money, both winners and runners-up will receive Neon Smartphones, the first locally assembled 4G smartphones in Kenya.

Safaricom Chapa Dimba serves as a structured platform for scouts and coaches to unearth new talent, creating feeder systems for Kenyan football leagues.

The tournament's broader objective is to train 250 coaches, targeting footballers aged between 16 and 20 years old.