The Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) held a consultative meeting at Jambo Hall, Kasarani Stadium among the officials to finalize preparations for this year’s 8th edition of the KYISA games.
The meeting saw NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku and Treasurer Eliud Kariuki take the officials through the NOC-K Calendar, programs, and partnerships to promote Youth athletes at the county level and promote sports development.
31 Counties sent a total of 73 CECs, Directors of Sports, and County sports officials to the meeting as they prepare for 23rd-30th April in Tharaka-Nithi.
The Annual National event targets young players at basic levels; youth with raw talent who might have missed out during the mainstream scouting opportunities in other sports e.g. Primary School games and Secondary School games This raw talent mostly may not have joined leagues above County level; have not had an opportunity to join institutions of higher learning and other elite clubs to try their luck i.e. they have not played in Kenya Universities Sports Association (KUSA); Division 2; Division; National Super and Premier Leagues.
Makueni Sports Director, KYISA Secretary General, and the Secretary General of the Kenya Basketball Federation, Ambrose Kisoi, spoke on the importance of the Games and the significance of NOC-K speaking to the officials.
“KYISA has the mandate to identify, nurture and develop sporting talents among the youth and to promote national cohesion among communities from different counties. NOC-K as an umbrella body is mandated to present Team Kenya at a Multi-sports event. The future of sports is in the Youth and we have to work together to develop sports. The future Team Kenya lies and depends on the structures set up at County and sub-county level.” He said.
Since the first edition in 2015, in Nanyuki town, Laikipia, 18 counties participated. This however has changed as all counties have confirmed for next month’s games in Chuka town, Tharaka-Nithi.
Kisoi also explained, through the Games, have enabled an opportunity for counties to showcase intellectual property; image rights; branding which can be a great source of revenue for the counties/ sponsors and an investment opportunity for local and corporate organizations to support the development of sports in counties as a marketing tool.
“We are privileged to meet the County Sports officials who also double as federation’s members and former athletes. As NOC-K, the athletes are at the center of all our activities. In this, we must support federations and bodies, encouraging the future of sports and Team Kenya. We are also looking to host them for administrators courses for capacity building of managers and administrators to refine how we manage the sport.” Said Mutuku.
An estimated 2000 youths will showcase their talents through the seven days of high-level games in football, volleyball, and basketball. The county also foresees an estimate of over 5000 spectators per venue per day.
