Homabay: Homabay County leaders have called for greater government investment in grassroots sports, citing its potential to curb social vices and nurture young talent across the country. Speaking during a memorial football tournament held at Kombaka Primary School in East Kamagak, UDA Nyanza Regional Coordinator James Aggrey Otore emphasized the transformative role of sports in youth empowerment and community development.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event was organized in memory of Otore’s late son, Bruce Mackenzie, who was a player in the Kombaka under-14 football team before passing away earlier this year. ‘We made a promise to these young players to support and nurture their talents. That is why we have provided them with new sports equipment and cash rewards, and we plan to do even more in the future,’ Otore said.
The memorial event featured teams from Kombaka and Masanga, with both teams receiving new jerseys, football boots, and financial assistance in an initiative supported by Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo. Also present were Michael Odari, Sports Coordinator in the Office of the Principal Secretary (PS), Siaya UDA County Coordinator Oyugi Dor, and Grace Dinda, Human Resource Manager at the Lake Basin Development Authority.
The leaders jointly urged policymakers to prioritize investment in rural sports programs as a tool for combating drug abuse and idleness among youth. Odari announced the upcoming launch of a Unity Cup Tournament, a major sports event to be sponsored by Dr. Omollo and scheduled for December in Nairobi, which will bring together football teams from 20 counties.
He said the tournament aims to scout talent for Kenya’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad, as well as offer international exposure, particularly in Germany. ‘There is real talent hidden in Kasipul, and from today’s match alone, we have seen incredible potential. The December tournament will be a key chance to showcase this talent on a national and even international stage,’ he informed.