AFC Leopards brace for weeklong cultural week, set for Bungoma

Outgoing AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda has urged fans and stakeholders to wholeheartedly support the second edition of the U45 Unit Branch Player Awards Gala and Cultural Week, calling it a powerful tool to shift the mindset of the club for long-term success.

In a public rallying call, the chairman emphasized the importance of embracing platforms like the gala to build a stronger, united AFC Leopards culture. “This will be the second event meaning the first one wasn’t a fluke, it is a statement of intent and it will enable the change of mindset in the club for future success,” he explained. “We need to come together, support initiatives like this, and change how we think and act as a club, on and off the pitch.”

The event which is to run from July 21 to 26 in Bungoma County,  is spearheaded by U45 Unit Branch Chairman Olympia Musonye, who officially unveiled the weeklong celebration Monday evening, under the theme “Our Culture, Our Pride: Showcasing Kenya through Football and Cuisine.”

Musonye described the event as a “movement of culture, pride, unity, and football excellence,” aimed at honouring not just players, but the community behind AFC Leopards.

“Last year, we lit a small flame. This year, we turn it into a bonfire, one that will light up Masinde Muliro Stadium, the streets of Bungoma, and the hearts of every Ingwe fan,” he said.

The week will feature youth tournaments, cultural performances, storytelling, traditional cuisine, community service, and culminate in the glittering Player Awards Gala.

He also indicated the awards will also be expanded to include the Youth and Women’s teams, something that did not happen last year, due to financial constraints. He called on the members to show up, as the event will also have a charity session for the purposes of raising funds towards the support of the gala and the club at large.

“We call on our members to show up in numbers for the betterment of the Club. Regular tickets will go for Ksh.300, VIP Ksh.3, 000 whilst couples Ksh.5, 000.”

Tickets will be managed by Big Brother Events and Ticketing. Fans are encouraged to secure theirs early for the landmark event, with payment details to be shared in due course.