The Government will set-up a satellite Sports Academy at the Ultra-modern Wang’uru Stadium, Mwea East Sub-county, to provide a platform for the youth, to enhance their sporting skills.
Sports Principal Secretary (PS), Eng. Peter Tum, while speaking at the Stadium, during the finals of a tournament sponsored by area Member of Parliament (MP), Mary Maingi, said the event was in line with the Ministry of Youth Policy, where all talent search activities, should begin at the grassroots.
“This tournament in line with the Kenya Kwanza government Policy, which targets to tap and nature talent at the village level, and I want to assure you of plans to establish a satellite sports academy here in Mwea,” said the PS, in his speech delivered by the Deputy Director of Sports, Jackson Indakwa.
Eng. Tum said the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has ordered for all talents to be monetized and youths given channels, where they can gain rewards and value of their skills.
Consequently, the government has since launched the Talanta Hela Initiative that seeks to Monetize Talent and Revolutionize Sports and Creative Space into a Mega Industry.
“The Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba, has been talking about Talanta Hela, this is a pipeline that ensures all talents end up with a prize,” said the PS.
The Mwea MP said she chose to engage the youth, in order to tap on their energy, which could otherwise have been wasted in negative activities.
Maingi said the program started with football and volleyball, however, in the next Financial Year, it will be expanded to cover other talents.
The MP noted the sporting is one way of creating social networks among the constituents.
“The majority of youths have wasted their talents in alcoholism and have also been coaxed into violence by politicians. Sporting is an avenue of enhancing cohesion among residents and a platform for sharing of ideas,” Maingi added.
She urged the youths to join TVETs, to get the requisite skills, saying the Constituency bursary kitty, will pay part of the fees.
At the same time, the MP urged the local youth, to apply for passports in readiness for the labour export programme, being spearheaded by the President and the line ministries.
On the proposed local Sports Academy, Maingi said, “There are many gifted youths in Mwea, but they lack grounds to exercise their talent. The upcoming facility will be a good platform for them to build and sharpen their skills and give them a chance to compete with other young people.”
By Mutai Kipngetich
