Nyamira County government has launched a 21 kilometre marathon annual race dubbed, Nyamira Great Run to support sporting activities and nurture local sporting talents for all interested residents in the County and beyond.
While launching the Marathon in Nyamira Wednesday, Governor Amos Nyaribo affirmed that he initiated the annual race to reclaim the waning athletics talent and other sporting activities in talented but underutilized youths to enable them get a platform of showcasing their sporting prowess and most importantly sustain a decent livelihood.
“Reviving the athletics and sporting sector in our County will create a wide range of employment opportunities to jobless youths and others who have a special interest in sports. I’m convinced that apart from fame and accumulation of medals acquired by individual sportsmen and women from our County, the sports sector will boost fast economic growth from the vast untapped entrepreneurial opportunities which come with it,” Nyaribo explained.
The Governor further promised to allocate sufficient resources in the next financial budgeting to enable the sports department to professionally train sports trainers who will further train talented athletes right from the time they are still in school to nurture their talents early.
“My Government will build and equip new training fields, revamp dilapidated ones to meet international standards and put up a museum where we shall preserve our history to showcase to future generations for them to learn and understand our humble beginnings and appreciate the importance of living our athletics legacy,” he said.
South Nyanza region athletes’ Chairman Mr. Peter Angwenyi, lauded the governor’s initiative saying it will go a long way in promoting and nurturing talent in the county and beyond and was sure that it will put Nyamira in the map as one of the Counties which churns out athletics champions.
Legend athlete, Charles Asati, a gold medalist of 4by400 m relay in 1972 at Munic Olympics said the initiative was long overdue because good athletes from Nyamira were highly poached by other Counties or countries to bring fame and money to them while we watched.
He congratulated the Governor and promised to fully support upcoming youth athletes.
The County Commissioner Amos Mariba who also graced the occasion lauded the Governor’s efforts to identify sporting talents and promote such activities in the county and promised full support from the National government in ensuring the sporting dream of the county is realized.
Other county dignitaries who graced the launch were Nyamira County Deputy Governor, Dr. James Gesami, County Secretary, James Ntabo, County Executive Committee Members, Members of the County assembly, Athletics Kenya regional officials and athletes from various parts of the county and members of the public.
The inaugural marathon is scheduled to take place on October 31st this year, a race which will start at Chebilat and end at Ikonge.
By Deborah Bochere and Zachary Makori
