Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has urged local youths to adopt sports as a means of income to enhance their living standards.
Consequently, Mutula disclosed that his government will work closely with the Makueni County Assembly to ensure the county will team up with the youths to foster improved skill acquisition for self-sustenance.
“We want to work closely with the county assembly and get a county team that youths will play to national level in an effort to improve their skills. We don’t want the talent to get lost here,” said Mutula at UNOA Sports Ground in Wote town where he awarded several teams that won in various games played during the MKJ Supa Cup finals on Sunday.
He disclosed that following last year’s games, 5 youths were able to join teams spread across the country that enabled them to earn a living and will not engage in consuming illicit brews or sell bhang.
Last year’s games saw 5 youths join prisons and army teams, highlighting the importance of improving sports for youths to use their talents for self-defense.
“This is a very important sport. We are sure the youth will not engage in taking illicit brews or drug and substance abuse,” noted the governor.
On his part, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu reiterated that it was important to have county teams in various games in order to improve the skills of the youths in the area. Furthermore, Mbilu noted that the youths will sharpen their skills when they play with other teams at national level while saying it was important to have a sports academy where youths can train in the county.
During the games that started on Saturday included soccer, handball, basketball and volleyball, the winning teams were awarded cups besides get a cash reward. In soccer Makueni Sub county team beat Kibwezi East 2-0 and as a result received Sh 100,000 and Sh 85,000 respectively.
The teams were selected to represent the county in Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) in Kilifi county included soccer, basketball, beach handball and beach volley from 14th-21st April 2024.
By Patrick Nyakundi
