Kirinyaga County branch of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is setting stage to resume normal structured calendar of football activities after the general elections.
Speaking at Kerugoya Stadium during a one-day Peace Tournament, Odero Sylvester, an FKF official said the youths and teams have been participating in political tournaments majorly sponsored by the politicians and now it’s the time to revert to normal football activities.
“We have been having more political tournaments, we appreciate politicians for their sponsorship but now we are going back to well managed structured football by FKF,” Odero said.
He said the tournament which brought together eight teams, two from each of the four sub counties in Kirinyaga County was meant to bring back youths from campaign mood and reconcile them through sports.
“The main objective of our today event is to preach peace and reconcile after campaigns,
As you can see from the mood people are talking about football, we have fans from all sub-counties and this is a positive change. No more politics,” he added.
Odero noted that the main challenge the county league is facing is lack of sponsors and partners.
He urged corporates to work with FKF to invest in the county league so that when the politicians are coming they find a working structured football.
“What we require in Kirinyaga are partners, people willing to support us to showcase the talent we have,” he said.
The county league sometimes stops because there are no sponsors. We call other sponsors to come in, by the time politicians join it will be a boost,” Mr. Odera noted.
The peace tournament was sponsored by South African Company-Hollywoodbets
Samuel Maina, Youth representative FKF Kirinyaga County, called upon the new county government to fully sponsor one league in the county for the talent growth.
He encouraged youths to know talent is a source of employment and pays.
“Youths must know the talent pays. It is a form of employment that one can earn through sports and make in life,” Maina said, adding, “I urge the new county government to sponsor one full league to facilitate development of talent.”
Cliff Muchoki, marketing lead Hollywoodbets, said they want to see talents from Kirinyaga in international stadiums. He urged the youths to express confidence in sports.
“Football pays and I want to see talents here and also exported to international stadiums. They should only do sporting activities with a lot of confidence,” Muchoki said.
By Mutai Kipngetich
