This past weekend at the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Eastern Regional finals, I met Emily Gacheri whose journey is a testament of the transformative power of sports. Hers is a story of unwavering passion for football since childhood and moving through the ranks to a point where she’s now a referee and football official in her county of Meru.
Gacheri stepped into the field at the tender age of 8 in the footsteps of her father and uncle who were and are still footballers to date. Given her natural prowess in the game, she was spotted by scouts at some point in high school and nurtured to improve even further. That is why she identifies so much with the young Chapa Dimba players showcasing their talents. Discovery was a hit or miss in her days but with Chapa Dimba, opportunities for growth are coming right to the grassroots.
Football has been the doorway for many opportunities for Gacheri, from travel and exposure to her most significant milestone – a full university scholarship to KEMU whish she describes as a miracle. Coming from a family that struggled to finance her primary and high school education for her and her twin sister, she initially doubted the possibility of pursuing higher studies. But look at her now. A graduate in hospitality trying out her hand in entrepreneurship alongside being a referee.
What does it take to be a referee?
Other than unwavering passion, becoming a referee demands that one has thorough knowledge of football. Not just the physical game but rules and regulations as well. It requires training and certification from the Kenya Football Federation, and of course physical fitness since it involves running around the field a lot.
To parents who hold back their girls from sports in favour of house chores and academics, Gacheri advocates for a balanced approach. While acknowledging the importance of education, she also insists on the impact that extracurricular activities like sports have in shaping young lives. She urges parents not to discourage girls from pursuing sports but instead find a middle ground where academics and sports complement each other.
To young girls who would like to play football but are held back by self limiting beliefs and society, she says to look up to established players like herself for encouragement. The world is more receptive of girls doing things that were previously considered male, so they should not be afraid to come out and build their sporting interests. She is determined to impact as many upcoming footballers as she can and do her part to transform their lives just like hers was transformed.
To Safaricom, she says that Chapa Dimba is a very big deal whose effects will be felt for decades to come. She’s grateful that the tournaments are making it easier for youngsters to embrace football, giving them purpose, potentially opening doors for them, and keeping them away from common traps that plague young boys and girls.
Chapa Dimba is a Safaricom program that aims to provide a structured platform for scouts and coaches to tap into new talent and build systems for the Kenyan football leagues across the country while also training a total of 250 coaches. The tournament targets footballers aged between 16 and 20 years old.