The County Government of Nakuru is keen on promoting grassroot sporting activities in a bid to identify and nurture talents among the youths, thereby providing them with opportunities for personal growth and skill development.
According to Governor Susan Kihika, her administration has put in place strategic initiatives and sustained support aimed at creating a conducive environment where youths can year-round actively participate in various sports.
“We have put in place deliberate and strategic comprehensive initiatives such as resource allocation and infrastructure development to foster a thriving sports culture in our County,” said an upbeat Governor Kihika.
She was speaking at Ngata Primary School during the thrilling finals of the First Gentleman and businessman, Sam Mburu’s Boxing Day football and volleyball tournament for teams drawn from Mosop Ward in Rongai sub-County.
The Governor revealed that plans are underway to extend the tournament across the County where knock-out would start in Ward levels way up to the finals in the sub-County level where best teams would meet in the finals on Boxing Day.
“Besides this, my administration has an incremental allocation of Shs500,000 sports kitty per Ward, translating to Shs27 million in the County per year towards sports development in grassroot levels,” she clarified.
She added that her administration was working closely with the Football Kenya Federation and established football clubs participating in the Kenya Premier League with a view to identifying raw talent and offering them professional opportunities.
The tournaments’ chief guest and President William Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet commended Governor Kihika on her various initiatives such as sports aimed at empowering the youth.
He reiterated that such tournaments offer the players exposure to broader audiences and that scouts are able to spot individuals with exceptional skills, dedication, and a natural flair for the game.
Farouk implored the Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Aababu Namwamba to devolve sporting activities further in order to promote inclusivity in national teams by picking talents from various communities and backgrounds.
“Developing sports in the grassroots necessitates the development of sports infrastructure. It will also help the government in fighting drugs and substance abuse,” he noted, adding that disciplined forces have much interest in sportsmen.
During the tournament, Ngata United FC beat Juhudi FC 5 goals to 3 in a post-match penalty after drawing 1-1 at the stoppage time in packed Ngata Primary School field. This saw the home team bag Sh500, 000 prize money among other goodies.
Runners-up, Juhudi FC took home Shs300,000 while third and fourth placed teams received Shs200,000 and Shs100,000 respectively. The tournament started on December 9 with 30 teams competing for the prize money.
The tournament was also graced by Water CS Zack Njeru, MPs Samuel Arama – Nakuru Town West, Samuel Gachobe – Subukia, David Gikaria – Nakuru Town East, Irene Njoki – Bahati, and a host of Members of County Assembly.
