Ian Ananda and Florence Ann emerged winners in the Busia Under-15 one day roller skating tournament held outside Huduma Centre in Busia Town.
The entertaining event was organized by Compassion International which sponsors over 6000 vulnerable children who are subsequently encouraged to pursue extracurricular activities in which they have comparative advantage.
With the standard of skating displayed by the skaters today, it has become apparent that skating will soon surpass other disciplines which have earned the county acclaim nationally and internationally.
Speaking during the award ceremony, the organization county project director Zacharia Otieno Minyiri noted that their main objective is on child development in the four areas of domain; physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and spiritual growth.
“The organization has been supporting over 6000 vulnerable children in Busia County since 2013 when it was launched. We support children in education, talent development, and spiritual nourishment,” said Otieno.
Ananda, a form four student at St Teresa’s Sio in Bungoma County led from the start to win the event with ease despite the afternoon showers that slowed the pace of the race. He was followed in second place by Govana Ayoo who sat for KCSE exams at Butula Boys this year.
“Give us 3-5 years from now and Busia will become the county of skating and no county will beat us in skating,” he said.
Ananda, who started playing Skate in 2018, said everything went as per plan, reaffirming that come rain or sunshine he will continue playing the game to world level. Ayoo said he met stiff competition and despite falling down twice, he was happy with the results.
Florence Ann displayed her prowess to breast the tape 300 metres ahead of Karani Harriet who returned home in second position, she attributed the victory to daily training and promised to upscale the game she started playing while in Standard Four.
“I will pursue nursing as my career but at the same time play skating and do charity work at Kenya Red Cross Society,” she said, while Harriet promised to pursue skating as her hobby.
Shantel Tasi took first position in the ladies 400m race 6-7 years age category with Shita Matinez settling for second position. John Ndimwangwa won the boys race, followed by Joshus Bora.
Other results: 8-9 years girls 800m: Seline Bwire and Britin Hawi. Boys:-/Shadrack Okware and Joshua Bora.
10-11 years: girls: Gentrix Auma and Victory Nekesa. Boys: – Emmanuel Favour and Ephraim Clement.
12-13 years: girls: Stephanie Margaret and Irene Bibo. Boys: Ryan Joseph and Kelvin Odhiambo.
Roller skating which has picked up in the county entails traveling on surfaces with roller skates. It is a recreational activity, a sport, and a form of transportation.
Roller rinks and skate parks are built for roller skating, though it also takes place on streets, sidewalks, and bike paths.
The event attracted 300 skaters in the county, majority drawn from 16 churches across the county supporting the program with about 700 youths playing skating while others are featuring in other disciplines.
The event was also co-sponsored by Equity Bank and Coca Cola Company. Ezra Kadima said Equity Bank will continue nurturing talents that abound in the county, urging the youths who sat for 2021 KCPE to pick Elimu scholarship and Wings to Fly forms from the bank next week.
By Absalom Namwalo
