Principal Secretary for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Ms. Susan Mangeni has underscored the need to nurture sports talents among the youth.
Speaking during the Busia Border Marathon race at Busia Polytechnic on Sunday, Mangeni said that talents and sports are the new frontiers for economic development all over the world.
“These budding athletes will be our future sportsmen,” she said, adding that the County has produced several champions like Ferdinand Omanyala among others.
She urged the organizers of the event to ensure that the activity takes place thrice a year so that it can offer the county a comparative advantage.
“I want the organizers of this event to register the participants in different groups so that we can train them on how to venture into business activities,” she said.
She further stated that Sh3 billion will be set aside for establishment of Nasewa Industrial Park which will serve East and Central Africa.
Teso South MP Ms. Mary Emase pleaded with the County government to decongest Busia County Referral hospital.
Emase argued that the facility is congested because almost all patients within the County go to the hospital for treatment instead of referrals.
“We can upgrade at least one health Centre in every Sub County with enough capacity and resources so that local residents can only be referred to Busia,” she said.
The legislator noted that a number of health centres are not operational currently hence the need to revive them.
She urged the organizers of the Border Marathon to have the activity run at least twice a year and engage leaders early enough for its preparation by lobbying for resources.
Busia Border Marathon Vice chairperson Ms. Sarah Martha said that the event that was launched in 2018 has continued to attract an increasing number of participants.
“We started with 50 athletes in 2018, 92 in 2019 and 136 in 2023,” she said, expressing confidence that the number will be much bigger in 2024.
Martha explained that the first edition of the marathon in 2018 addressed teenage pregnancies, second edition addressed (2019) early marriages and this year’s event addressed health and wellness among the local residents.
“We have decided that we will use the Marathon as an avenue to complement what our health practitioners are doing in hospitals,” she said.
She appreciated all the partners for their support adding that the event was organized through local resource mobilization.
The official urged the County government to allocate an appropriate budget towards the event since it nurtures talents and promotes wellness among the youth.
The forum attracted adult male and female athletes who participated in 10 and 15 kilometers races alongside 5 kilometer fun race for children and other interested adults.
Participants also had a chance to access free cancer screening, blood donation, eye checkup and nutrition screening.
By Salome Alwanda
