Malindi Turtles Crowned Inaugural Watamu Beach Festival Champions

The Malindi Turtles emerged victorious in the inaugural Watamu Beach Festival, an entertaining tournament played in a round-robin format at Watamu Beach, Watamu, Kilifi County.

The fiesta was held on Saturday and Sunday, organized by Tajiriba Sports, saw teams from across the coastal region and Nairobi compete fiercely for the title.

It was Malindi who topped the log after scooping 6 wins and one draw. Karen Crusaders from Nairobi finished second after suffering a 2-0 loss to Turtles.

In the junior categories, the Kilifi Titans dominated the Under-14 competition, securing their place as champions, while Gede triumphed in the Under-18 category, taking home the coveted trophy.

Speaking in a post-match interview with Citizen Digital, Tajiriba Sports CEO and tournament organizer Leon Lubang'a expressed his satisfaction with the event's success. 

"This festival is a testament to the vibrant sporting talent we have in this region. The turnout and the level of competition were exceptional, and we are proud to have provided a platform for these athletes to shine. We look forward to making this an annual event that will continue to grow in stature," Lubang'a said.

Lubang'a further added he has his sight set for the tournament to be an annual event.

Wilfred Okoth from Karen Crusaders was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player and Top try scorer after landing 10 tries.

He was given two two-night stay vouchers at the Diamond Dream of Africa Hotel, in Malindi.