Teso South based Amaase Vocational Training Centre (VTC) are the inaugural Busia VTCs boys’ soccer champions after beating hosts Busia Township 1-0 in a thrilling tournament final at Busia County Stadium on Friday.
Daniel Ajore scored the solitary goal in the 53rd minute after raising high to head in a corner kick past the Busia Township goalkeeper to secure the victory for his team.
Amaase won the final match that was also watched by Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and his Deputy Moses Mulomi despite the two teams settling for a barren draw in the preliminary group match played on Thursday.
In the semi-finals Amaase had seen off Teso North-based Angurai VTC 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in regular time while Busia had beaten another Teso North-based Amagoro 2-0 in the semis.
In the ladies category, Butula were crowned new queens, beating Nangina 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in normal time.
Busia Township made up for their defeat to Amaase to lift the volleyball boys title after walloping Busagwa and Amagoro 3 sets to nil each.
Funyula-based Nangina lifted the girls’ volleyball title after beating Busagwa in the finals.
Speaking during the prize hand-over ceremony Ojaamong hailed his Education Executive John Mwami for his innovation in organizing the youth competition despite the meagre budget and urged other county executives to think outside the box and promote youth activities in the County.
He noted that the county is rich in talent which if tapped will steer
the county to greater heights, adding that sports brings communities together.
Mulomi on his part talked of the need to fund VTCs to tap talents and improve the manufacturing function which is with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.
Education Executive John Mwami said the county beat Kitui County in the bid to host this year’s edition of the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association Games in November.
He also revealed that the department is set to hold VTCs skills competition in September and October.
Burumba Ward representative Moses Ochieng urged the government to allocate more resources to Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions for the sake of many youth who fail to score direct entry grades to universities.
By Melchizedeck Ejakait/Kevin Kimathi/Abraham Khisa
