The 2026 Governor’s Cup football tournament is set to be bigger, more competitive, and more rewarding after the County Government of Uasin Gishu announced a significant increase in prize money aimed at strengthening grassroots sports and empowering young people across the county.

In a major boost to youth talent development, the county government has doubled the tournament prize money as part of Governor Jonathan Bii’s broader agenda to nurture sports talent, create economic opportunities, and promote youth empowerment through football.

The enhanced rewards are expected to attract more teams and increase competition during the annual tournament, which has continued to grow into one of the county’s biggest grassroots sporting events.

Speaking while chairing a technical committee meeting to plan the tournament, County Executive Committee Member for Sports Robert Kemei said the county leadership remains committed to investing in programmes that directly benefit young people.

Kemei noted that the increased funding demonstrates the county administration’s determination to support youth development through sports while helping talented players unlock career and income-generating opportunities.

“We are committed to ensuring that sports become a powerful tool for empowering our youth socially and economically. The Governor’s Cup is not just a competition, but also a platform for identifying and nurturing talent,” he said.

Under the revised prize structure, the overall county champions will now walk away with KSh1 million, while sub-county winners will receive KSh500,000. Ward-level champions will pocket KSh100,000, significantly increasing the incentives for participating teams.

Officials noted that the improved rewards are expected to motivate more youth to actively engage in sports while strengthening community participation across all wards.

Team registration for the tournament will run from May 20 to June 26 across all the 30 wards within the county. Matches are scheduled to kick off in July and continue through November, progressing from ward-level fixtures to sub-county rounds before culminating in the county finals.

Organizers further confirmed that the women’s competition will begin immediately after the completion of the men’s tournament, in a move aimed at promoting inclusivity and expanding opportunities for female athletes within the county.

County Assembly Youth and Sports Committee Vice Chairperson Tabitha Wambui welcomed the initiative and pledged continued support for increased budgetary allocations towards youth-focused programmes.

She said the County Assembly remains committed to backing initiatives that positively impact young people and help address unemployment and social challenges through sports and talent development.

Chief Officer for Youth Affairs Victorine Kapkiai assured residents that preparations for the tournament are already underway and that the department is fully prepared to ensure the event is successfully rolled out.

She emphasized that the county government is keen on delivering a transparent, inclusive, and well-organized tournament that will benefit youth from all corners of the county.

The planning meeting also brought together Director of Sports Henry Mukolwe, Deputy Director of Sports Pius Mosbei, county officials, and representatives from the Football Kenya Federation.

Sports stakeholders have welcomed the increased investment in grassroots football, saying the tournament has become an important avenue for identifying and nurturing emerging football talent while promoting unity and community engagement.

With preparations now in top gear, expectations are high that the 2026 Governor’s Cup will not only produce exciting football action but also serve as a catalyst for youth empowerment and sports development across Uasin Gishu County.