— Patron Walter Okelo Applauded for Visionary Leadership in Youth Empowerment
Asembo was alive with colour, passion, and purpose as the Great Asembo Football Tournament 2025 concluded in a powerful, celebratory climax — a two-week sporting festival that showcased not only athletic brilliance but the growing influence of youth-led development in the region.
Spearheaded under the Walter Okelo Mentorship Programme (WOMP), this year’s tournament demonstrated once again why Patron Jaramogi Okelo Walter has become one of the most dynamic champions of youth empowerment in Asembo. What began as a local football contest evolved into a multi-layered platform uplifting young people socially, emotionally, and civically.
Okelo’s name echoed across the grounds — not with fanfare, but with the gratitude of a community witnessing long-term investment in its youth bear fruit. Under his guidance, the tournament expanded beyond sport, merging mentorship, civic awareness, and social education into a seamless community experience.
His mentorship philosophy — “with them, for them, and by them” — was evident in every activity.
After days of thrilling action, two standout teams clinched the top honours:
Babu Queens (Nyagoko Sub-Location) — Ladies Champions
Ujwang’a FC (Mahaya Sub-Location) — Men’s Champions
With 24 men’s teams and 8 ladies’ teams, this year’s participation was the strongest yet, a sign of the tournament’s rising prestige under Okelo’s patronage.
Civic Empowerment: Asembo Steps Forward
A hallmark of Okelo’s strategy is integrating civic responsibility into youth activities. Through partnerships with Huduma Centre and IEBC, the tournament became a civic engagement hub:
1,200 national ID applications
51 voter registration applications
For many families, this was the first time such services were brought this close — a direct reflection of Okelo’s vision of accessibility and inclusion.
In line with global advocacy efforts, WOMP used match interludes to deliver impactful educational sessions on:
mental health
Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), echoing the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV
These conversations captured the essence of Okelo’s approach: sport as an entry point to deeper societal transformation.
The event drew support from numerous partners, volunteers, sponsors, and guests — chief among them Waziri Angeline Oduor, CECM Sports, representing the County Government of Siaya. Her presence underscored growing county-level recognition of Okelo’s youth-driven initiatives.
Organisers, referees, community groups, and the WOMP team received applause for delivering a polished, well-coordinated event that uplifted hundreds of young people.
In his closing address, the patron delivered a powerful call to action:
“Growing up in this region of Asembo, I realized early that we may not have vast resources or minerals, but what we have in abundance is the youth — the youth dividend. We have youth in numbers, and we have youth in skill sets…”
His words reaffirmed WOMP’s mission and set the tone for an even more ambitious future.
If this year’s tournament proved anything, it is that Asembo is experiencing a quiet revolution — one powered by its young people and guided by a leader who understands their potential.
The Great Asembo Football Tournament 2025 leaves behind more than medals. It leaves behind renewed hope, stronger civic awareness, healthier conversations, and a united community looking ahead with confidence.
Under Patron Walter Okelo’s stewardship, Asembo’s youth agenda is not just alive — it is thriving.
Leave a Reply