Laikipia County to use sports to keep youths engaged

Laikipia County government will continuously engage local youths in sports to keep them off misconduct instigated by idleness.

The County executive for Youth, Education and Sports, Stephen Biwott Kisorio said in addition to the Governor’s Cup soccer tournament that is on its final stages, the devolved unit plans to seek sponsorships to hold other sports soon.

He said men teams taking part in the Governor’s Cup are vying for Sh500,000 top prize for men runners up Sh300,000 and third place finishers Sh200,000. The winner in the women category will take home Sh300,000, runners up sh200,000 and the team that will take third position will get Sh100,000.

He said after the Governor’s Cup, whose (men and women finals) will be staged in Nanyuki next week, attracted 300 teams with each of the wards producing an average of 20 teams during the two months the competition has been on.

The guest of honour in the final will be Deputy President’s wife Dorcas Gachagua.

“Another sponsor has promised to sponsor another tournament that will run for three months in the County. We are happy because this is one way of keeping the youths busy and prevent them from falling prey to drugs,” Kisorio said during the start of group of 16 knockout stage at the Nyahururu stadium.

Kisorio promised to make next year’s Governor’s Cup bigger and ensure it runs for six months. The Executive said he has requested for three welfare buses for his department next year to ease teams’ movement during next edition of Governor’s Cup.