A plan to start a volleyball sports academy in Marsabit County in an effort to tap talent and enhance physical fitness among the youth has been finalized.
Kenya Volleyball federation Marsabit branch chairman Joseph Katelo has said he would be sponsoring opening of the academy to nurture talent, which abound among the youth in the area.
Speaking during the final match of a three-day Sora-Katelo inter-location volleyball tournament held at the Marsabit Moi girls high school playground, Katelo noted that the academy would be able to engage many youths including students during holidays who idle around and fall into temptations to indulge in drug and substance abuse.
He added that the tapping of talent which abounds in local youth would also help in addressing the problem of lack of employment, with those gifted being assisted to pursue career and occupation in the sport.
Katelo said the effort is also aimed at assisting in shielding girls from being subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) that occurs during the holidays, adding that the formation of volleyball clubs within the sub-county will be ideal to cater for youths that are out of school.
“Compared to other sports, volleyball not been accorded good attention and that is why we want to support in the tapping of the ability that abounds in our male and female youth” he said, adding that Sora Katelo Foundation and Strengthening Pastoralists Actions for Change and Empowerment (SPACE) organizations would be instrumental in the establishment of the much desired academy.
The crowd-arousing finals saw Qachacha Senior beat Police Lines team 3-0 to win the Soral Katelo inter-location volleyball tournament for Marsabit Central sub-county organized by the local volleyball federation branch.
The winners got away with ‘gold’ medals for every player, a trophy, and a Sh15,000 gift.
Police lines managed ‘silver’ medals for each player, a trophy and Sh10,000.
Karare team was the runners-up and was given Sh5,000, a trophy, and ‘bronze’ medals.
The tournament attracted 12 teams which benefited from a volleyball net and a mikasa ball each from the Sora Katelo Foundation.
By Sebastian Miriti
