- Monire Junior School footballers have received recognition from Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok after their regional campaign.
- The governor says their performance demonstrates the sporting talent available among young learners in the county.
- He has pledged continued support for talent development while urging the players to balance sports with academics.
Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok has congratulated Monire Junior Secondary School football team for their impressive performance at the East Africa School Games in Morogoro, Tanzania.
Barchok hosted the players and their coaches at his office on Tuesday following their return from the regional competition, praising them for flying the county and Kenya flag high.
The governor said the performance was evidence of the rich sporting talent in Bomet and pledged his administration’s support towards nurturing and developing young athletes across the county.
“Congratulations to the team. We have talents in Bomet. We are expanding champions in athletics and ball games, and we have the support to ensure that our young people develop their talents,” Barchok said.
He noted that the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system places greater emphasis on identifying and nurturing learners’ talents, saying the county would work with schools to provide opportunities for gifted learners, particularly in sports.
Barchok, however, challenged the players to maintain a balance between sports and academics, reminding them that sporting success should go hand in hand with education.
“As you engage in games, you must also work hard academically. We want you to excel both in sports and in your studies,” he said.
The governor acknowledged the financial challenges facing the county but said his administration would continue supporting schools and initiatives aimed at talent development, including through interventions targeting Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.
He also promised to assist Monire JS students facing school fees challenges by considering them for support through the county scholarship programme.
Barchok urged the team to remain committed to training and discipline as they prepare for future competitions, challenging them to work towards greater success next year.
“You must continue practising so that you can maintain the trophies and come back even stronger next year,” he said.
Players receive heroic welcome
The players later received a heroic welcome at Monire Junior Secondary School, where teachers, parents, learners and members of the community gathered to celebrate the team’s impressive run at the East Africa games.
The team’s success has placed Bomet firmly on the regional school football map and offered a glimpse of the county’s growing potential in nurturing young sporting talent.
Coach Kiplangat Rotich thanked the county government for hosting and honouring the team, saying the support had boosted the players’ morale.
Rotich said the competition in Morogoro was tough, with strong teams from across East Africa, but praised his players for their determination and discipline.
He said the team’s performance was a major achievement and vowed to use the experience to prepare the team for greater success in future competitions.
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Bomet Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok poses with Monire Junior School football players and their coaches at his office after their return from the East Africa School Games in Morogoro, Tanzania. Barchok congratulates the team for representing Bomet and Kenya at the regional competition.
By Jeff Kirui
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