By Steve Muthini
stevemuthiny@gmail.com
Plans are underway to build a Sports Academy at Makindu in Kibwezi West Constituency, Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) Chairman in Makueni County Mr Samuel Mwongela has disclosed.
The proposal to build the academy which will be of its kind in the region has been floated by Machakos County Chief of Staff Mr. Mwengi Mutuse who is also vying for the Kibwezi West Constituency seat.
Speaking at the finals of the Kibwezi Youth Mentorship and Sports Association (KYMSA)football tournament held at Makindu Stadium on the eve of New Year,Mr Mwongela said they will support Mr Mutuse to build the Sports Academy as he had demonestrated that he had the will and capacity to promote sports activities.
“Mwengi has shown that he can promote sports.He has supported the building of schools, and the training of coaches and refereees.We will ask him to build a Sports Academy here,”said Mr Mwongela.
His sentiments were echoed by another FKF official Ms Caroline Ajowi who is also a football coach and Kenyatta University Sports lecturer.
Ms Ajowi who was also a player with the ladies’ national football team,Harambee Starlets,said they will consider the proposals and recommendations with a view to establishing the Sports Academy.
The well-organized event which was also graced by former Harambee Stars Captains and international players Musa Otieno and Denis Oliech among other dignitaries was attended by thousands of fans.
Mr Mutuse said the idea of a Sports Academy was in order to create jobs for the many talented but jobless youths in the constituency and Kenya in general.
He said while many politicians promised to create jobs for the youths they did not say how they were going to do it adding that his was a practical solution to joblessness in the country.
“We are saying that if it is possible in Europe,if it is possible in Nigeria to use talent and make money,it is possible in Kibwezi,that is why we are starting talent development here and after five years we will have professionals to take to the world,”said Mr Mutuse.
He thanked the County government of Makueni for the structures that they had put in place to ensure development of sports in the county.
Mr. Mutuse said he had used his resources and the support from friends to host the tournament and appealed to the constituents to elect him to Parliament in August so that he can make it an annual event sponsored by the Constituency Development Fund.
Twelve teams of boys and twelve teams of girls who made it to the finals were awarded with new jerseys and cash awards.
A total of 285 teams participated in the tournament which has been running for months.
