The national government through the Ministry of Youth affairs, Sports and Art has expressed commitment to complete the construction of Homa Bay modern stadium.
The construction of the stadium is currently in progress although it has experienced delays.
Speaking Sunday during the Governor’s Cup Finals at Homa Bay Boys High School, the ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba promised that the stadium will meet the required standards after the completion of phase 2.
The football tournament was organised by Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga and kicked off on December 23, 2022 at the ward levels. “Let the Governor finish the first phase of the stadium, then I’ll take over to its completion to a modern one,” said Namwamba.
Namwamba promised to make the stadium a whole ecosystem for sports and other artistic talents through building terraces and ablutions apart from the pavilion that Governor Wanga will finish.
“We want to make it possible that you can get in there if you are a musician and record a top-class production in the facility,” he said.
The stadium will include a good football pitch, volleyball pitch, basketball area, recording studio, theatre and other composite facilities to develop the upcoming raw talents in Homa Bay.
The CS stated that the government has a plan of reviving Kenyan football from the grassroots level, something that he said that Homa Bay has already demonstrated positively.
He said that the programme will commence from the ward levels, to the county and eventually the national level in search of talents to boost the soccer games in the country.
Homa Bay County being the home of the then Kenyan legend Gor Mahia whom the Gor Mahia FC was named after, showcased incredible talent and competitive spirit during the finals of the tournament.
He stated that the government also has a plan to begin a programme dubbed “Talanta Hela” which will ensure that talented people have money in their pockets.
Gor Mahia team manager Jolawi Obondo on his side, said that the team identified five players during the final matches and he is in the progress of making arrangements for them to start training with the team soon.
Obondo also promised that if the management of the club agrees, Homa Bay stadium upon completion will host some of their games as a home pitch.
The winners of the tournament included Ligisa in volleyball, Kendu Starlets in netball, Gideons in women’s football, and Nyamrich in men’s football.
The CS was also accompanied by the Speaker of the county Julius Gaya, the county women representative Joyce Osogo and other leaders of the county.
By Brian Odhiambo and Davis Langat
