The fifth edition of the Kiptoiyot Komas Kasit (KKK) Cup – Ainamoi Sub-County Edition – sponsored by Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, the Majority Leader in Parliament, continued to draw massive crowds at the Kericho Teachers Training College (KTTC) grounds on Friday, with fresh developments shaping what has grown into one of the county’s largest grassroots sports festivals.
The tournament is also ongoing in other sub-counties across Kericho County, lighting up local pitches with high-octane football and volleyball action.
The football highlight of the day was the tightly contested fixture between Lizbase FC and Elite FC, which ended in a 1–1 stalemate before proceeding to a tense penalty shootout that kept fans on edge.
The enthusiasm spilled into the day’s second major fixture as Motobo Complex FC battled Chesumot FC in another spirited match that showcased emerging talent from the wards.
But beyond football, the KTTC arena has become an expanded stage for multiple sporting disciplines, with the KKK Volleyball Challenge now fully integrated into the tournament programme.
Both men’s and women’s volleyball teams attracted significant attention, but it was the growing interest in the sitting volleyball category for athletes with disabilities that stood out.
Players trained and competed with remarkable discipline, drawing applause from spectators impressed by their athleticism and determination.
Tournament officials say the volleyball segment is steadily elevating the KKK Cup into a wider multisport platform, offering more young people the chance to participate, learn teamwork, and gain exposure in various sporting codes.
This year’s edition has also solidified the KKK Cup’s reputation as a talent factory, with scouts and local coaches attending matches to identify promising players.
The event has evolved into a holistic youth development arena where young athletes showcase skill, resilience, and professionalism — qualities needed to build future county and national teams.
In a unique twist, the tournament has also become a training ground for up-and-coming football and other sports commentators.
Young narrators have been given opportunities to call live matches, conduct pitch-side interviews, and produce short highlight analyses, adding vibrancy to the event while nurturing the next generation of local sports media talent.
As activities unfold at the KTTC grounds, organizers say the tournament is also helping promote social cohesion, discipline, and structured youth engagement.
With KTTC being a major TVET institution, the tournament is running parallel to other youth-focused skill-building activities around the campus, showing the growing interconnection between sports and vocational development in Kericho.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s fixtures, which will include more football knockouts and competitive volleyball ties as teams push for semifinal slots.
Fans are expected to return in large numbers as the tournament gains momentum and continues to affirm its place as one of Kericho’s most impactful grassroots sporting events.
By Gilbert Mutai
