By Peter Otuoro
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has urged Team Kenya which will fly the flag in the East Africa Secondary School Championship to be patriotic as they aim to bring more medals to Kenya.
Director General of Education Elyas Abdi told students to behave well throughout their stay in Tanzania and instructed guardian teachers to give them moral support to ensure Kenya shines in all areas.
In a speech read on his behalf by Rift Valley Director of Education Jared Obiero, Abdi assured Team Kenya that the country has great confidence in all of them knowing they will win in all games.
“We have a lot of confidence in you because we know you are well prepared as you compete with other schools from East Africa,” said Abdi.
He added that the ministry thanked them for their good performance in the East Africa 2018 championship which was held in Rwanda.
He told participants that the government had given them that opportunity so that they can nurture their sports talents and become prominent sportsmen and women at senior world sport competitions such as the Commonwealth games.
He also reminded participants that they were likely to be absorbed by various sports leagues in Kenya, East Africa, Africa and the world at large to play in prestigious leagues like those in Europe.
“Talented people who followed the same paths like you are currently prominent sports men and women like Eliud Kipchoge and Lilian Cheruyot,”said Abdi.
He said the ministry has been nurturing co-curricular activities in education institutions to promote national values.
“Games promote peace, cohesion, patriotism and respect for diversity,” said Abdi.
On his part, Rift Valley Regional Director of Education Jared Obiero thanked all participants for their efforts and urged them to represent Kenya at a higher level of competition.
He also thanked St. John Ambulance for helping the students during the games sessions.
Various corporate organizations like Coca-Cola Company were also appreciated for supporting the KSSSA Championship for many years.
Speaking in the same function, KSSSA National Chairperson Kipchumba Maiyo encouraged the participants to continue embracing sports at the same time concentrate on their academics.
The function was also attended by Kibra MP Peter Oraro, KUPPET National Vice Chair Julius Korir, and regional Directors of Education in Western and Central regions, among other guests.
