IN a display of talent and determination, Kengold, a football club based in Chunya District, Mbeya Region, has emerged victorious in the 2023/2024 season of the First Division League, also known as the NBC Championship.

The remarkable achievement not only brings pride to the people of Chunya but also secures Kengold's place in the prestigious NBC Premier League for the upcoming 2024/2025 season.

 The trophy presentation ceremony, held yesterday at the Chamazi Complex in Dar es Salaam, was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Kengold team. 

The event was graced by dignitaries and football enthusiasts, including the Chunya District Commissioner, Mbaraka Batunga, and the Chairman of the Tanzanian Premier League Board (TPLB), Steven Mnguto, who represented the President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), Wallace Karia.

 In a display of sportsmanship, the trophy presentation was preceded by a friendly match between Kengold and Mwanza-based Pamba FC, another team that has earned a spot in the upcoming NBC Premier League. 

The match ended in a thrilling 1-1 draw, showcasing the high level of competition that will be seen in the Premier League.

 Speaking at the ceremony, DC Batunga expressed his pride in Kengold's achievement, stating: "Today, as the people of Chunya, we are proud to be champions of a league that has demonstrated such quality, and through this competition, we believe we will pose a challenge to the teams we will encounter in the NBC Premier League."

 The sponsorship from NBC Bank has played a crucial role in the league's development, as emphasized by Elvis Ndunguru, the NBC Bank Business Director. 

Ndunguru stated that the bank's commitment to supporting sports, including football, golf, and athletics, has been instrumental in creating employment opportunities and enhancing the overall competitiveness of the league.

The bank, which sponsors three important leagues in the country, will continue to enhance these leagues to achieve positive outcomes in line with the objectives of the sponsorship, including the generation of employment, as a total of 7,000 direct jobs have been created through the sponsorship.

"We congratulate all participants of the Championship League, but especially Kengold for emerging as champions of this league. We also congratulate Pamba FC for being the runner-up and, therefore, going to participate in the NBC Premier League next season," said Ndunguru.

Kengold captain Charles Masai expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders and the sponsor for creating an environment that allowed the team to excel. 

He promised that Kengold will prepare diligently to provide even more competition in the upcoming NBC Premier League season, stating: "We will prepare ourselves from the squad to the coaching staff to better position ourselves for the NBC Premier League."

The Kengold victory not only showcases the talent and potential of the team but also highlights the positive impact of NBC Bank's sponsorship on the development of football in Tanzania. 

As the team prepares for their debut in the NBC Premier League, football enthusiasts eagerly await to see how Kengold will fare against the top teams in the country.