By Kabaraji Richard
A section of skaters in Trans Nzoia City haa raised concerns over the sorry state of sporting facilities in the county.
The skaters have also accused the county of focusing more on developing and supporting Football at the expense of other sports.
Led by the Kitale Roller Skating Team Kenya, the sports fraternity claim the county deliberately sidelined them in what they say in an attempt to undermine their importance.
“They have organized soccer tournaments all over but for other sports no one from the Governor, Senator, to MCAs seem to care,” said Gershom Isanda, a member of the skating team.
With the neglect, the skaters who spoke to the press in Kitale town noted that they have no place to train as well as lack of finances.
They are now being forced to train on the roads using torn skates.
“Look where we practice, it is along this ACK back street which is not ideal. We experience constant worries of injuries. At one point, two of our members broke their leg while dodging boda boda riders at this street,” one of the skaters said.
Call for support to Trans Nzoia Skaters
They are now asking the County Government of Trans Nzoia and other well wishes to come to their rescue.
“One pair of skating boots is Ksh50,000. We need at least two pairs for practice and tournament but we cannot get them as we depend on our parents for kitting,” said another skater.
The county is in the process of setting up a multi-million state-of-the-arts sporting complex in Kitale town.
But the skaters say even in the upcoming project, they have not been factored in.
“The facility has only taken care of soccer and other games leaving us out despite the numerous trophies and medals we have amassed for this country. Let them construct a skating park for us to develop our abilities,” noted Amol Zachary, a founder of the Sport in Kitale.
In addition, youth leaders among them Brian Mutaki have asked the County Government of Trans Nzoia to ensure it supports all sports.
“We cannot be having such wonderful sportsmen and women especially who are youth and have taken their time and represented our county but they are being left out,” Mutaki said.
“Let this county wake up from their slumber and do something,” he added.
