Cabinet Secretary for Youth affairs, Sports and the Arts Ababu Namwamba has today officially opened the 8th edition of the Kenya Youth Inter- County Sports Association (KYISA) games at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County.
The sporting event that has brought together twenty-two (22) counties is expected to run from 25th April to 30th April 2023, and will run under the theme “Talanta Mashinani” with youth aged between 18-23 expected to compete in volleyball, football and basketball tournaments.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, CS Namwamba noted that the competition’s theme was in sync with the ministry’s Talanta Hela program meant to monetize talent, announcing the government had set aside funds to support the Kenya Academy of Sports and Arts.
The CS also applauded county Governors for investing in KYISA games, saying it was important in nurturing talent by providing a platform to target the right profile of players who are out of school and didn’t have the right platforms.
“The structure of Talanta Hela is strengthening what is already in place. Through the program, we will work with academies, schools, KYISA, corporate sector such as Safaricom Chapa Dimba and other existing initiatives to provide a conveyer belt to propel talent. We are setting aside resources to strengthen Kenya Academy of Sports and Arts”, he said.
According to the CS, the best talents in KYISA will be hosted at the National Talent Academy Camp, for a program that will see them train, compete and be scouted to turn their talent into money.
Principal Secretary for State Department of Sports and the Arts Jonathan Mueke in his remarks affirmed plans by the department of sports to find and develop talent, to create a pipeline to national teams and enable the youth get money through talent.
“The department of sports is committed and has pledged to work with all counties to identify and grow talents. We will work to find and develop talent”, he said.
Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki in his speech announced that the Council of Governors was focused on supporting KYISA and other affiliated sporting and talent activities, saying it was a great platform to discover raw talent.
National Assembly Committee on Sports Chairman and Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama noted that there was value in sports and arts, appreciating Governors whose teams are represented in the competition saying it was the only way to cure the drug menace in the country.
“The only way we can cure the menace of drugs and other things that derail our youth is make them participate in such games and get them involved”, he said.
Wanyama also asked sporting federations to send scouts to KYISA for selection and scouting.
Other leaders present included Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki, KYISA officials and other county government officials representing the 22 teams.
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