The Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KECOSCA) has urged both County and National governments to fully invest in sporting activities to promote talent and cohesion in the country.
Speaking to the media during the election of the association leaders in Kilifi, newly elected KECOSCA Chairman John Ang’awa said their main goal is to bring all counties together through sports and cultural activities but the government has not given enough support towards this goal.
The chairman added that lack of sponsorship in sporting activities was a huge challenge that he insisted derailed efforts to promote the sector, thus frustrating thousands of young people talented in sports.
“People love sports very much. Everyone wants to be involved in sports, but the biggest problem is sponsorship. Right from the national government, sometimes you find that the national team goes abroad to represent the country yet players do not even have allowances because of delays in disbursing money, or lack of budget,” he added.
The sports association which has a membership of 32 counties has also been affected by delays from the national government to disburse funds to counties.
Mr. Angawa explained that the financial constraints have discouraged members from active participation in games. “Some of us are facing a financial crisis and fail to go where they are needed because there is no money. Sometimes we travel but we don’t have the required sports attire. So sports persons get discouraged and the teams’ self-esteem goes down,” he said.
Since the association was started, Mr. Angawa said they have managed to conduct games every year in different counties, bringing all employees from the counties and the citizens together thus promoting peace and unity.
The chairman therefore asked both the counties’ and national governments to fully support the inter-county sports activities to nurture youth talents which can help create a source of livelihood.
“We are humbly asking all the county and national governments to embrace sports and invest in sports. It is the only avenue through which our youth get employed without necessarily producing certificates. It is based on talents,” he said.
The sports association is also planning to conduct its annual games this year in Meru County.
KECOSCA Secretary General Kimutai Sitienei on his part pleaded with county governments to sponsor their teams to enable them participate in the upcoming Meru games.
“We want to ask counties to release their sports persons to come in large numbers because these games are rare to find. They involve all county government employees. I don’t know if there are similar ones in the whole world. We are asking the county governments to facilitate their teams to attend and participate in the games”, Mr. Sitienei said.
The association is pushing for more membership to include all the 13 remaining county governments and to ensure sports are well budgeted for during this financial year.
By Jackson Msanzu
