The Nyanza Regional Inter-Technical Colleges sports tournament has kicked off in earnest today in Kisii County.
The three-day event brings together Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions from across the Nyanza region to compete in soccer, volleyball, basketball and netball.
According to one of the coordinators of the games, Mr Boniface Orina, who is the Dean of Students at West Mugirango Technical and Vocational Education Centre, preparations have been completed and teams have started reporting.
"We are expecting many teams to report, but for today we have received Orogare, West Mugirango, Kakrao and Nyakach from Kisii, Nyamira, Migori and Homa Bay respectively, as those from Siaya are on the way," he said.
Mr Orina said the tournament is not just about winning trophies but about promoting talent, discipline and teamwork among trainees. He asked principals and parents to continue supporting learners in TVETs because sports improve them all-round—physically, mentally and socially.
His sentiments were echoed by Vincent Omune of Nyakach TTI and his counterpart from Kakrao TTI in Migori County, Mr Collins Oduor.
Mr Omune expressed hope of winning and proceeding to the national championship. However, he told his students to use the occasion to build rapport with other learners outside their county and beyond.
"Our main target is to win and go to the nationals, but beyond the medals, I want my students to interact, to learn from others, and to create networks that will help them in their future careers. These are future engineers, technicians and entrepreneurs from different counties meeting in one place," Omune said.
Sports promote unity, talent and networking
On his part, Mr Oduor from Kakrao said sports are a unifying factor for TVETs in Nyanza and praised the host for good organisation. He said such events break the monotony of classroom work and give trainees a platform to showcase hidden talents.
"We have come with a strong team, but we also value friendship. Let this be a platform for peace, unity and exchange of ideas among our colleges," Oduor said.
The regional games come at a time when the government is putting more emphasis on technical education as a key driver of economic growth.
Technical education is crucial because it equips young people with practical, hands-on skills that are directly needed in the job market. Unlike purely academic learning, TVETs train students to become job creators rather than job seekers through courses in engineering, building technology, ICT, electrical installation, fashion and design, agriculture and hospitality.
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It also helps in reducing youth unemployment, promotes self-reliance and supports the country's industrialisation agenda under Vision 2030.
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