Three elected leaders from Murang’a County want the government to consider allocating more funds to facilitate sport activities at grassroots.
The leaders have observed that after the vote for sports was removed from NG-CDF kitty, games, which were traditionally sponsored through the fund were left without financing.
The legislators, including Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo, Murang’a senator Joe Nyutu and the county woman representative Betty Maina noted money to support sports at villages’ level needs to be increased, not removed or diverted to other activities.
Speaking during the Edwin Mugo Cup finals for boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at Rurii grounds of Mathioya, the leaders underscored the contribution of NG-CDF in promoting sports at ward levels.
Mugo said the kitty had allocated Sh1 million which sponsored 64 teams in his constituency in the current financial year.
“It’s unfortunate the money which was factored for sports in the NG-CDF kitty has been relocated to facilitate digital hubs in the constituencies. But, sports are also very important among young people whom we are trying to help to keep off from indulging in alcoholism and drug abuse,” he added.
Mugo proposed that the sports money should be included in the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) saying the office of woman representative can also play part in sponsoring sports in the counties.
“Despite the scrapping of the sports vote in the NG-CDF kitty, I will embark on sourcing for various organisations and individuals to sponsor sports in my constituency. I appreciate what the games have done to young people in Mathioya and from the games they have played, some of the players have exhibited talents and can also be part of teams that play in the national league,” noted the MP.
On his part, Nyutu said the county government needs to improve sport infrastructure within the county so as to help youths with talents get playgrounds.
He said in Murang’a there are few grounds which can be used for games calling for rehabilitation of stadiums which have been neglected for a long time.
“Sports are very important especially among young people. Considering the alcoholism and drug menace in this region, more resources are needed to engage youths in sporting activities,” added Nyutu.
The senator further asked the sports ministry to consider building a national stadium in Murang’a observing that for lack of such a stadium, the county has been left out in hosting national tournaments for football among other sports.
The county woman representative noted that digital hubs can be done and operationalized within two financial years then the money be directed back to sponsor sports.
Ms Maina said once the hubs are operationalised, the continuous funding to the hubs may be unnecessary, underscoring the need to redirect the money to fund sports.
“The digital hubs can be financed for two financial years then the vote for sports in the NG-CDF kitty be re-established. This will ensure grassroot teams have sports kits among other necessities,” she added.
In the finals, Kairo FC won the cup by flooring Nyagiti FC 3-0. In the women’s teams, the Kiamutiri team won by defeating Thuita 2-0.
By Bernard Munyao
