Embrace sports as a career, Kenyan youths urged
Young people have been encouraged to start considering sports as a career that can enable them to earn a decent living.
Manda Shivanga MCA David Kivishi, while hosting his 7th Edition Super Cup at Tombo Grounds, stressed the need for youths to embrace extracurricular activities, noting that sports is among the highest global income earners.
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The MCA, who is on record as the only MCA to organise many consistent tournaments in his ward despite being in his first term, said sports pays well and should be taken seriously by both parents and their children. He added that young people with various talents should be encouraged to exploit them fully.
Kivishi said that through sports he has been able to bring communities together, unite youths and uplift the livelihoods of participants by awarding them tokens of appreciation ranging from cash prizes, trophies, balls, uniforms and boots.
“This year I graced my tournament, dubbed the David Kivishi Super Cup 7th Edition. I had the privilege to host Presidential aide Farouk Kibet, Malava MP David Ndakwa and the Speaker of the Kakamega County Assembly, who unanimously stood by me by adding their donations to my cash prizes for the teams that participated in the finals, and I am grateful for their generous support towards uplifting the sporting standards of our young generation.”
He added that through sports, talent is tapped and nurtured as part of the journey to steer youths to stardom.
“Let us take sports seriously and not discourage our children who have shown interest in any category from pursuing it, as it could be their life-changing career away from normal classroom studies,” he advised.
The MCA stated that his continued support in hosting the tournament was due to the positive impact it has brought to the lives of young people, with many who were addicted to drugs and substance abuse reforming and turning to sports as an alternative form of entertainment and source of income.
He advised those with talents and innovations to come forward and display them so that they can be fully moulded.
“Besides the games, we are also encouraging the registration of young people who have attained the age of 18 to apply for their identification cards, offering Social Health Authority (SHA) registration for those who have not registered, and holding a free medical camp for the community as part of bringing services closer to them.”
During the event, the finals featured Manyonje FC of Butali Chegulo Ward against Ingwe FC from West Kabras Ward, with Manyonje edging out Ingwe 1–0 and pocketing over Ksh. 500,000, three balls, a full uniform kit, boots and a trophy.
Also present at the event was Presidential aide Farouk Kibet, who encouraged more youngsters to come out and showcase their talent, and called for a wider tournament where teams from the ward could play against teams from neighbouring Nandi County in the next scheduled tournament.
He also used the occasion to emphasise the importance of empowering youth through sports as a key pillar of community development.
Kibet donated Ksh. 200,000 towards the winning team and Ksh. 150,000 to the runners-up, while Malava MP David Ndakwa gave Ksh. 50,000 each to the two teams. Kakamega County Assembly Speaker James Wamatsi also followed suit by donating Ksh. 10,000 to each team.
A total of 98 teams across the constituency participated in the tournament.
