Youths in Tharaka Nithi County have been advised to focus on exploiting their talents rather than getting wasted by engaging in drug abuse and craving for handouts from politicians.
Chuka Igambang’ombe Member of Parliament Patrick Munene noted that many youths focus on getting handouts from politicians who in most cases use their money to lure them into unproductive activities for their own political interests.
He regretted that the handouts’ beneficiaries usually spend the money in consumption of illicit brews and drug abuse rather than exploiting their various talents for their own economic empowerment.
“There are many untapped talents among the youth in all parts of the country and if our youths could focus on exploiting them rather than relying on handouts from politicians, they can become economically independent and not mercenaries to be exploited by politicians especially during electioneering times,” said the MP.
Munene who was speaking during the finals of Chuka Igambang’ombe football tournament held at Kamwimbi Primary School Saturday said by exploiting their talents fully many they could join the national leagues and become professionals in various sporting events.
He cited the examples of McDonald Mariga and Dennis Oliech in football and the likes of Hellen Obiri and Eliud Kipchoge in athletics among others who have turned their sporting talents into millions of shillings and hence honest means of living.
“You may not be as gifted as these international stars but turning your talents into a honest source of income is not nuclear physics. There are others making money through comedy, music and other forms of art. All you need is to focus on your talent and desist from being wasted into drugs and alcohol abuse,” said the MP.
The legislator said from his communication with Chairman of Kenya Football Federation Nick Mwendwa, who had been invited as the chief guest, his office will be selecting and supporting the best players to join the national league clubs and hence the need for individuals to shine in their respective clubs.
Similar sentiments were echoed by County Government Chief Officer for Sports Aggrey Karani who said the county government had budgeted for not only football but all sporting activities to empower the youths economically.
Karani called on the various teams to build and maintain discipline which is the key to successful growth of sportsmanship talents everywhere in the world citing past legendary sportspeople who ended up disgracing themselves through doping.
“Do not let yourself be a slave of your background. Do not underestimate the talent you have. If you keep focused and going an extra mile beyond the normal exercises you can change everything in your life. With a positive attitude the sky is the limit,” noted the Chief Officer.
The participating teams benefitted from sports gear and the winning teams awarded various trophies.
By David Mutwiri
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Information For Development
