- Parents and teachers have been urged to integrate education, sports, Christian values and culture in nurturing responsible children.
- Speakers said sports help learners develop discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership skills.
- The appeal was made during a grassroots football tournament bringing together teams from Kisii, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.
Parents and teachers have been urged to integrate education, sports, Christian values and culture to help children develop discipline, patience, resilience, unity and love.
The call was made during a grassroots football tournament held at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho High School, which brought together boys’ and girls’ teams from Kisii, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.
Jump Rope Federation of Kenya (JRFK) President Lydiah Aswan urged teachers to place greater emphasis on the fear of God in the learning process, saying spiritual values remain the foundation of knowledge and responsible citizenship.
She commended Oyugis FC Limited and its Christian Ministries for using sports to unite young people from different communities while promoting peaceful coexistence.
“As learners participate in sports, they should understand that success is not only about winning but also about completing every assignment faithfully and honouring God through discipline and teamwork,” she said.
Aswan also encouraged teachers to nurture honesty, respect for human life and environmental stewardship through both classroom instruction and outdoor learning activities.
Sports and talent development
The two-day tournament attracted more than 10 boys’ and girls’ teams, including Geke, Kemera, Gucha Youth, Nyaronge Starlets and Hema Moja.
All participating teams received new playing jerseys and footballs.
Maurice Omoya, Founder of Oyugis Football Limited and Christian Ministries, said the tournament forms part of the Public Peace Gospel Crusade that has brought together churches from Kisii, Nyamira and Homa Bay counties.
He praised coaches for nurturing talent despite limited resources and encouraged them to focus on spiritual growth alongside sporting success.
Omoya also urged coaches to identify and nurture talented young players within their communities while ensuring teams field age-appropriate participants between 14 and 20 years.
Protecting children and the environment
SPAC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Grace Nyandoro highlighted the organisation’s partnership with schools and churches in promoting environmental conservation through tree planting.
She said the programme has reached more than 150 schools and churches across the Nyanza region over the past six years and aims to double that number by the end of the year.
Nyandoro also called on communities to use sports forums to combat child abuse, gender-based violence and drug and substance abuse among young people.
Football scout Elisha Winga of Resident FC Metropol HP-Kenya urged learners to embrace sports as a viable career pathway.
He said participation in sports builds discipline, teamwork, patience and resilience while improving concentration, mental wellbeing and academic performance.
According to Winga, sports also create opportunities for scholarships, professional careers and community leadership by helping schools identify and nurture talent from an early age.
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Tournament coordinator Dr. Bernard Ratemo echoed the call for discipline, urging coaches and team managers to instil good character among players, saying success in sports and education depends on discipline, commitment and integrity.
By Enock Okong’o
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