Sports

Eastleigh's vibrant sports community shapes lives and inspires champions

Fred Arocho and Keith Imbali are are notable figures in Kenyan sports with backgrounds in Eastleigh. (Photos: Fred Arocho Instagram, Silas Mburuki on Twitter and Kariobangi Sharks Facebook)

By Sports Reporter | Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Nairobi's vibrant Eastleigh district pulses with life and diversity, boasting numerous neighborhoods, each with its unique rhythm that contributes to the area's dynamic atmosphere.

Nairobi's vibrant Eastleigh district pulses with life and diversity, boasting numerous neighborhoods, each with its unique rhythm that contributes to the area's dynamic atmosphere. Fueling this energy is a lively sports community driven by young men who proudly represent their neighborhoods through local teams participating in tournaments. The influence of the English Premier League and European football is unmistakable, painting the pavements with a colorful display of jerseys worn by young and middle-aged men on weekends.

Abdi Awal, a 23-year-old Eastleigh resident and local team player, stresses football's role in fostering community unity. "When school opens, we don't get to play together as much. But during holidays, we have tournaments and TV games that pit us against our friends on and off the pitch," Abdi shares with Eastleigh Voice. Eastleigh has been a breeding ground for notable figures in Kenyan sports, inspiring individuals like Abdi.

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One such luminary is radio presenter Fred Arocho, who grew up in Eastleigh. Arocho attended Einsworth Primary School and began his soccer journey at 7 with Tayo Sportiff in the same neighborhood. Arocho's soccer career progressed to the semi-professional level during his time at Pumwani High School from 1991 to 1994, where he played for several second-division sides, including ICDC FC and NSSF FC, both now obsolete.

Radio personality Fred Arocho grew up in Eastleigh. (Photo: Fred Arocho/ Instagram)

The sports legacy of Eastleigh extends beyond borders, as seen in the achievements of Ibrahim Elias, a product of Sharp Academy, who has made his mark in the Tanzanian Premier League. Similarly, Keith Imbali, known as 'Babs,' of Kariobangi Sharks, adds prestige to Eastleigh's football heritage by playing in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League. Imbali joined Sharks in 2021 from National Super League side Coastal Heroes.

The players are making waves, and Eastleigh's coaching department is also flourishing. Recently, Abdrirahman Ali Abubakar earned a coaching certificate by completing an A-level licensed coaching course offered by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Eastleigh's commitment to sports goes beyond formal school sports, with public schools like New Eastleigh Primary School serving as arenas for formal and informal community games. These spaces act as canvases where dreams are painted, shaping the future of Eastleigh's sports scene.