Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Friday, February 24, 2023, officially launched the inaugural Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tournament.
Speaking during the launch at the county headquarters in Eldoret town, Governor Bii said the program does not only make youth commercialize their talents but also keeps them away from generational challenges, including alcoholism and substance abuse.
Bii said that rising youth unemployment is a worrying trend that threatens to wipe out an energetic generation.
“Our main aim in this Governor’s Cup is to give our youth assistance so they can identify and realize their talents, practice, and better that which they are good at,” the county boss said.
“We are also aware that the challenge of unemployment causes can lead to depression. For this reason, we focus to create a platform for the youth to better their potentiality and make a living out of their talents,” he added.
Further, the governor observed that his administration will be rolling out several other sports programs, reiterating that he is focused on creating launch pads for talent search and identification.
Where the idea of the Govenror’s cup tournament came from
Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot on his part said the idea of the Governor’s Cup came about during campaigns when the Governor spotted a volleyball net at a dusty ground somewhere in Kesses.
“Sometime in Kesses, during campaigns, the Governor saw an old (volleyball) net at a shopping centre. This is where the Governor said he will be putting talent identification and youth empowerment as among his agendas,” said the DG.
Eng Barorot also added, “All the teams should observe the rules of the game; referees and technical team to ensure that the rules are adhered to, this will ensure we have a healthy competition and proper nurturing of talents.”
Assembly Speaker Philip Muigei said the legislature supports the executive in programs that are tailored to give youth a push-up.
“The (County) assembly will support any policy and programs that seek to empower the youth“.
County Executive for Youth and Sports, Engineer Lucy Ng’endo said her department is keen to ensure that the Governor’s vision of youth empowerment is actualized.
She made a call to the youth. “So then our youth have an opportunity to prove yourselves in this tourney“.
Action at sub-counties
The action for Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tournament serves off in wards across Kapseret Sub-county next weekend, March 4th and 5th.
Competitions in the other sub-counties will follow in subsequent weekends, with winners in both men’s and women’s categories advancing to the finals set for April 13th-15th at the Eldoret National Polytechnic.
“Only players between 18 and 35 years, those who are not public servants and are not professional players are allowed to compete,” said Chief Officer for Youth and Sports, Nahum Jelagat.
Representatives of clubs competing in top-flight leagues will be seeking to bolster their stables and will be scouting for talent at the tourney.
Further, some youth might realize dreams come true as paramilitary clubs and national league contenders, General Service Unit, and Kenya Prisons Service will be looking to recruit new talents.
