Safaricom launched a series of a series of community outreach programmes as it officially kicked off the Coastal regional finals of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba football tournament.

The football extravaganza slated to be held on Saturday January 13 and Sunday January 14, 2024, at Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa County, will follow the varied community initiatives.

Among the initiatives slated for the Coastal region are free medical camps, stakeholder engagement, clinics for players and coaches, and training on digital and financial literacy.

Safaricom is partnering with Britam Insurance Company to offer the financial literacy training for boda boda riders, vendors, small business operators and shopkeepers.

The telco will also offer training on how to use its new AI-powered GPS Sports Vests, which are intended to enhance the performance of players and open up scouting opportunities.

The vests capture data about players, including total distance, speed, power plays, power scores, among others, enabling them to know their strengths and weaknesses hence improve.

The coveted football tournament is resuming action after taking a three-week break during the long Christmas season, with the Coast region set to host the inaugural event of 2024.

“This tournament serves not only to nurture talents but also to transform the lives of the entire community,” noted Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

A total of eight teams have been lined up for the Safaricom Chapa Dimba regional final matches, which are scheduled to be played at the Mbaraki Stadium in Mombasa County.

The tourney, which targets youth aged 16 to 20, avails a designed platform to discover new talent and build feeder systems for Kenyan football leagues while also training 250 coaches.