The annual Tsavo Kerrigan Cup, organised by the DSWT in collaboration with the Waves Trust, took place on the 30th September 2016 hosted by Sowa Primary School. This fun annual sports event for conservation, which includes football and netball competitions, brings together four underprivileged primary schools including Gimba, Mosi, Sowa and Kalambe, which are all located on the South Western border of Tsavo East National Park.

The South western corner of Tsavo East forms an important wildlife corridor and dispersal area connecting Tsavo East and Tsavo West, and over the years has been put under greater pressure than ever from a growing human population inhabiting the Teri, Mgeno and Sagalla ranches. The community practice of ranching and small scale agriculture is the main source of this community’s livelihood, yet it prompts perpetual human-wildlife conflict, with elephants damaging and destroying crops and lions killing livestock, whilst there is an increasing danger of injuries and fatalities to community members by wildlife.  The DSWT is able to use this special annual occasion to build relationships with these marginalized communities whilst working to build awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation and offer support with the difficulties faced by living in a wildlife dispersal area.

This year’s hugely successful event was attended by over 200 school children, 30 teachers and over 50 community members. After the sports competition, which included awards and prizes, students from Gimba and Mosi entertained the participants with conservation themed traditional songs and poems.

Order of events

Netball

Match

Team/Score

Team/Score

1st match

Kalambe 7

Gimba 4

2nd match

Sowa 5

Mosi 11

3rd match

Gimba 2

Sowa 6

Finals

Mosi 9

Kalambe 5

Soccer

Match

Team/Score

Team/Score

1st match

Kalambe 0

Gimba 1

2nd match

Sowa 0

Mosi 1

3rd match

Kalambe 1

Sowa 0

Finals

Mosi 2

Gimba 1

For a third a year in a row, Gideon Mosi primary school overcame stiff competition to win in both the soccer and netball games. Diana Mwadime and Karl Boli both from Gideon Mosi were declared most fair players. The event was brought to a close by speeches from teachers, community leaders and the DSWT, encouraging the children to take an active role in wildlife conservation and work to protect their natural heritage. 

This event is not only great fun but very effective in building school and community spirit.  The DSWT along with the community and schools are incredibly grateful to the Waves Foundation for helping to make this successful event possible.