‘Laikipia and Beyond Unity Cup’ football tournament launch

Caption, from left to right: Nzoika Waita, Safaricom Head of Legal and
Regulatory Affairs; Samuel Eto'o; Angela Cropper, Deputy Executive Director,
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Jochen Zeitz,
Founder of the Zeitz Foundation. Credits: Zeitz Foundation

On January 6th 2010, Jochen Zeitz launched the Zeitz Foundation’s ‘Laikipia and Beyond Unity Cup’ football tournament, in Nairobi, Kenya. The press conference, full to the brim with journalists, saw Samuel Eto’o, who was in the country with the Cameroonian team training for the Africa Cup of Nations, named Patron of the Unity Cup.

Sponsored by Safaricom and supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the tournament aims to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly in the context of the International Year of Biodiversity.

During the launch, Eto’o said he hoped to be in the final on Segera Ranch, headquarters of the Zeitz Foundation and Long Run Destination, in July.

The tournament, which will become an annual event, will be played in the heart of the Laikipia ecosystem, in the North of Kenya, an area of unique beauty. Teams from a variety of backgrounds, including rural communities, will experience wildlife and wilderness first hand.

The launch dinner, attended by the Cameroonian football team, the German Deputy Ambassador, UNEP dignitaries and Kenyan VIP’s, was held at the Windsor Golf and Country Club.

Zeitz noted that the Cup would put Laikipia’s extraordinary biodiversity in the limelight whilst promoting unity, cultural appreciation and understanding.

Samuel Eto’o, whilst graciously accepting to have his photo taken with many fans, said he ‘looked forward to being part of the tournament and following in the footsteps of his friend Usain Bolt by adopting one of Kenya’s Indomitable Lions.’

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