As the world prepares for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Kipchumba Murkomen has called for enhanced collaboration between Kenya and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to expand the Sports Sector.
Speaking during the Kenya 2024, Africa, and Europe Regional meeting in Mombasa, Murkomen said that at least 70 percent of the African Population comprises the young people thus with the CGF investing more into other sports other than athletics, the move will enable the country to tap into the potential of youth.
He said that in Kenya youth possess talents in sports and if not nurtured it might cause a challenge as they might venture into drugs and substance abuse thus the government’s effort to partner with federation from Europe to invest in games and make a difference.
“The bulging population in Africa especially among the youth pose both an opportunity and challenge for us and this is good because on the other hand, Europe does not have the young population that we have hence through cultural exchange, we can welcome the federation and associations from Europe to find ways of investing even further in sports so that we can tap into the potential of our youth,” he said.
He said it is a fact that the East African countries expand their offerings at the commonwealth Games and other international tournaments.
He noted that to present more sport disciplines, the local federations need to partner with the private sector, the partnerships can entail funding and sponsorships, talent development programs, infrastructure development, coaching and expertise exchange, marketing and promotion, policy advocacy and support, research, and development, among others.
He added that Kenya is a major stakeholder in games and through the commonwealth games it has celebrated the things the countries have in common and appreciate the differences that make our diversity.
He noted that the nations have built friendships that transcend regions, races, religions, and cultures through sports.
He said the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games have played a pivotal role in nurturing sporting talent adding that most Kenya’s world champions throughout history have competed in those games.
The CS pointed out that an outstanding number of medals have been won in the country stating that a total of 237 medals have been brought home throughout the 16 editions since Kenya’s first participation in the Commonwealth Games, noting that the record underscores the country’s place in the tournament and sports.
“To highlight just a few, our 2024 Paris Olympics double gold medal winner Beatrice Chebet also won gold in the Women’s 5000m in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022. Our 3-time Olympic gold medalist Faith Kipyegon won her first senior gold in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014,” he said.
He added that since 1998, Kenya has won 20 of all the 21 medals on offer in the men’s steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games and nine of the 15 available since the women’s steeplechase was introduced in the games program in 2006.
However, he noted that even with the enviable record in the competition, it is a little bit disheartening since Africa has not yet been privileged to host the Commonwealth Games hence, he called for keen consideration for that matter.
“With the scaling down of the size of the games, the economic responsibility of hosting the tournament has reduced tremendously, and therefore as the competition clocks 100 years in 2030, the competition is hence not farfetched thus I call upon the Commonwealth Games Federation to give it a serious thought,” noted the CS.
On his part, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), Chris Jenkins highlighted that the forum marks the first-ever combined meeting between Africa and Europe Commonwealth Games Associations (CGA)hence the forum seeks to foster collaboration between the two regions.
“Our games are the largest part of manifestation, we need to not sing but shout about the importance of sports to everyone in the commonwealth, reinforce the act of coming together, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other as we shape our future,” he said.
He further applauded Glasgow, Scotland for committing to hosting the upcoming commonwealth games dubbed “Glasgow 26”.
By Chari Suche and Nuru Soud
