The county government of Marsabit is increasingly focusing in tapping sport talent among the youth as teams destined for the intercounty youth games next week vowed to clinch victory.
Three teams of football and volleyball players and who have been under rigorous training at the Moi girls high school-Marsabit for the last one week will be heading to Kabsabet in Nandi County for the annual event which kicks off on Monday.
County CEC for education, sports, youth and skills development Umuro Roba said developing the sport sector was a major focus of the devolved unit.
Mr Umuro said the county government has set aside sh 3.5 million to cater for the stipend of players and officials, transport and accommodation among other logistics.
Marsabit which emerged third overall winner during last year’s council of governors sponsored event held in Makueni County has one volleyball team for men and women respectively and a football team for men.
“We will have two men teams in volleyball and football while women have produced one in volleyball which were born out of vigorous training held here in the last one week,” he said.
Flagging off the teams, area goveroner’s wife Alamitu Guyo Mohamud and the deputy governor Solomon Gubo asked the players to uphold discipline during the competitions in order to register good performance.
Mr Gubo called on the coaches to guide the players on rules governing the games to avoid hitches arising from indiscipline and which he cautioned could cost them victory.
The deputy governor added that the government has prioritised the harnessing and developing skills among the youth including in the sports field in a bid to provide them with avenues to self-reliance.
Mr Gubo said that the games which were also aimed at sensitising the youth on the dangers of drug and substance abuse were also aimed at building cohesion and patriotism in the country.
“We want to see a more united Kenyan where every citizen feels right and contented to belong,’ said the deputy governor.
By Sebastian Miriti
