Uasin Gishu County in partnership with the Paul Bitok Foundation and other partners has launched the Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament second series, 2023 to enable youth in the region to showcase their talents.
The second series of the tournament will take place from Thursday, November 30, 2023, at Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) featuring 100 teams from the county and regionally from Uganda and Tanzania.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim lauded the event which he said is significant in providing a platform for the youth to showcase their sporting prowess.
He pointed out that this year’s tournament themed on promoting green faces through volleyball, underscores our collective efforts toward environmental conservation and tackling climate change
“Like the rules of the game we all must spike for a sustainable future where every serve sends a message, the tournament plays an important role in our persons for a greener tomorrow and aligning with the president’s call to grow trees and foster environmental awareness,” he said.
He noted that the youth who make the players are the heartbeat of our community and this tournament offers them a stage to display their skills, resilience, and dedication.
Reflecting on the successes of the last governor’s cup volleyball tournament in which 298 teams participated representing 4172 empowered youth from all the wards, Chelilim reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the youth through sports.
“The Governor’s Cup showcased the potential of sports in nurturing talents, enabling economic empowerment, and addressing climate change, a testament to harnessing sports for sustainable development,” said Chelilim.
He noted that the tournament in collaboration with the Paul Bitok Foundation has attracted over 36 elite professional teams, 62 self-supporting teams participating in the second-tier scholarships, and involvement from 12 schools, colleges, and Universities.
The governor confirmed that the county will sponsor 60 teams that earned their place through victory at the Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tournament. He added that the sponsorship serves as recognition of talents nurtured at the grassroots level and emphasizes the county’s commitment to acknowledging efforts at every stage.
The County Volleyball KICOSCA
Chelilim further affirmed that the county administration will oversee the construction of a multipurpose hall to enable participants to engage in and train for indoor games like volleyball.
He urged the youth to seize this opportunity while embracing teamwork and discipline which are crucial for winning.
Paul Bitok, the patron of Bitok Foundation, acknowledged the county government through the Department of Sports, ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs for supporting the event.
He added that the tournament organizers have already made proper arrangements and are ready to receive the 100 teams and will put them in different categories.
“We have the first category of national league teams who have been registered with regular competition, then self-supporting teams together with series B which will be started on Thursday 30th because there are more teams to enable meet the prequalification date on Saturday and Sunday so that we don’t delay or fail to finish the matches on time,” said Bitok.
He further noted that the current tournament, unlike its first series, is unique as it brings on board various sponsors which assures its sustainability to be hosting the event annually.
The County Executive for Sports, ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Eng. Lucy Ngendo appreciated the partnership with Paul Bitok Foundation to host the Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament, in 2023.
She added that the indoor games facility which plays a crucial role in terms of training volleyball players is set to be established at Racecourse Ward, Kapseret Sub County, and that they are awaiting final drawing from the Public Works to commence construction works.
By Ekuwam Sylvester and Velma Lumbasi
