Makueni County government will construct a Talent Centre in Wote town to promote sports talent in the area, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has said.
He said the centre will accommodate both outdoor and indoor sports activities that are geared towards improving sports among the youth in the county.
“During the flagging off ceremony of Makueni team to Tharaka Nithi, we agreed on a number of programmes/projects geared towards promoting sports talents and competition at all levels in the county namely: construction of a talent centre in Wote town, strategic partnerships for sports sponsorship and promotion of sports activities in Makueni (e.g. Adidas and Nike),” said Mutula on Thursday outside his Wote office when he received Makueni team that represented the county at Tharaka Nithi during the Kenya Youth Intercounty Sports Association (KYISA) games.
He asked the Directorate of Youth and Sports to ensure the targeted groups were organized to ensure they were empowered economically and facilitate their access to Government Procuring Opportunities (AGPO).
During the event, Mutula lauded the team for their exemplary performance during the just concluded event where they won many trophies both at team and individual levels respectively.
“I am overjoyed to receive the teams and individuals awards: best football team (ladies), basketball (men), Runners-up basketball (ladies) and most disciplined team (volleyball men). Individual awards top scorer basketball men, basketball ladies and best player basketball, best goalkeeper ladies, best player ladies and golden boot top scorer (ladies),” he observed.
Mutula reminded the youths who were aged 23 and below that they will go to places and get jobs if they focus on sporting activities saying they will earn a living and combat unemployment in the county.
Speaking at the event, the Department of Youth, Gender, Sports and Social Services Executive Committee Member (ECM) Nicolas Nzioka said that he has written a cabinet memo geared towards getting land where to construct the talent centre.
“I have written a cabinet memo to get land and if approved, the Department of land will provide land for the construction of the talent centre in Wote town,” said Nzioka.
Reacting to providing basketball and volleyball courts, the ECM promised that in the next financial year the players will get a good ground to practice in the county.
“In the next financial year, my department will ensure the basketball and volley players have good courts to play on and practice as they prepare for various tournaments within and outside the county,” he posed.
On his part, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Southern Branch Chairman Mr. Antony Makau promised that his organization will have training clinics for referees and coaches in Makueni.
Makau, who is also a National Executive Council (NEC) member, gave 10 balls and uniforms to the Makueni team as a donation from FKF President Nick Mwendwa.
By Patrick Nyakundi
