Isambo International Beach Carnival day one was a flowery festival opened by the Deputy President and graced by guests and performances from different parts of the world. The Isambo tempo was raised to fever pitch levels by the dancers from Burundi that thrilled the crowd and entertained guests all night before ushering a sporty day two of the festival at the sand filled Lunyofu stadium, curtain raised by mountain hiking on the nearest hills.
Bunyala was initially a land marked by a permanent barrier of the ever swollen Nzoia River which symmetrically divided it into Bunyala North and South. The river hindered unity and interaction of people from across the divide. Crossing the sea was a tragic nightmare until Isambo Patron who was the then MP, Hon. Ababu Namwamba, pulled a Moses rod that divided the Red Sea into two for the Israelites to cross. The iconic Sigiri Bridge united families and Abanyala once again, with masses streaming in to the Isambo carnival in appreciation.
Each hemisphere of Bunyalaland presented a team; Bunyala North and Bunyala South, to compete for the Isambo Football Super cup which carries the prestige of Europe’s Champions league trophy.
Whenever the two teams meet, it is the grass that hurts. The enthusiasm of the cheering squads matches that of the El Clasico. The meeting of the two teams make scientists recall the great battle of the arachnids-the unpredictable fights of the venomous and aggressive scorpion against the fury type tarantula called the baboon spider. The rabid and avid fans already cheering and the surrounding hills echoing back the shrieks to the players.
Inside the charged stadium, the prestigious Isambo Super Cup trophy was centrally placed on display, guests and leaders sitting strategically with all eyes glued on the pitch, sports scouts from Premier League teams positioning themselves to spot talents and business people selling their goods to the hundreds of spectators.
The derby was thrilling and entertaining. Bunyala South was ahead in the genesis minutes and had doubled within the half hour mark to silence the big cheering squad from the Northern side. The Northerners scored their first goal in the dying seconds of the first half to bring them back in the game.
Unlike other competitions where half time is a moment for women to talk about new breastfeeding styles as men analyse the first half, Isambo rest quarter was one of its own. CAS Ababu Namwamba, joined MCAs and other leaders in a yoga and meditation session led by Dr. Yogita Mehta from India. Isambo shares in the spirit of love and sharing as championed by the yoga mistresses Paramahansa Yogananda in her spectacular reads, ‘There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.’ The yoga saw hundreds join in for the free fitness session. Dr. Yogita also donated books from the Indian High commission to help improve literacy levels.
The second half was another speedy moment marked with several substitutions that proved futile as no goals were scored. Bunyala South proudly walked off the pitch with heads high as they waited to kiss the coveted Isambo Super cup. All participants got cash awards and other presents presented by Patron Ababu Namwamba.