A team of 86 youths have been selected to represent Migori County in the forthcoming Kenya Youths Inter-governmental Games (KEYSA), to be held in Tharaka Nithi County.
The selection of the youths aged between 18-23 years was done by the interim sports council at the m county stadium.
The occasion was graced by Dr Betty Samburu, the CEC for Education, gender, youths, sports, culture and social services.
Dr Betty said that as a department they are set for the games while confirming the team’s confidence in emerging victorious in the KEYSA Games.
“We are set for the games as a department and as a county, I am sure that Migori county’s flag will fly higher courtesy of this competent team that has been selected to represent us,” said Dr Samburu.
The team of youths aged 18-23 years will are set to travel on April 22, 2023, to Tharaka Nithi County for the games that will end on April 30, 2023.
The KEYSA Games
Tharaka Nithi County will host teams from all 47 counties in Kenya in the Kenya Youths Inter-governmental Games.
“Despite the financial constraints, as a department, we are already glad for the success of this whole selection process. We are determined to emerge victors.
Dr Samburu
The KEYSA games will mark the second national competition for the counties after the one held in Kisumu for the county workers.
Just as their predecessors in the national games competitions where Migori County got two trophies, Dr Samburu has a strong belief that the youths will do better amidst budget constraints.
“Despite the financial constraints, as a department, we are already glad for the success of this whole selection process. We are determined to emerge victors,” said the CEC.
Prof. Rose Ogwang, the chief officer for Education, sports, gender, culture and social services called for support from the well-wishers to enable the department to empower Migori youths in sports.
The team of youths aged 18-23 years will are set to travel on April 22, 2023, to Tharaka Nithi County for the games that will end on April 30, 2023
She added that sports have become a source of livelihood for most youths in the country and encouraged the selected team to add more effort in sports as that will propel them to the national teams.
She referred to the legendary athlete Eliud Kipchoge whose life has entirely depended on sports, adding that everything requires commitment, hard work and above all respect.
She also congratulated the selection council that ensured that the team reflects the face of the county by fairly selecting participators from all eight Sub Counties.
She also showed gratitude to Migori county governor Dr Ochilo Ayacko for ensuring that the youths are united through sports and culture.
Migori team selection
The team selected will be representing Migori County in football, volleyball and basket.
Apart from the basketball games, football and volleyball games will have both male and female competitors.
We also have plans to form a county team and that will be structured by first starting up the county sports academy and having scouts from all the sub-counties to make the selection easy for us
Dr Samburu
The executive council member also promised a better future for sports in the county, counting among the plans, the start of a youth sports academy in the county to help the interested youths nature their talents.
“There are elaborate plans to start a youth sports academy in within the next five years which I am sure will make the youths grow their talents,” she added.
The youth sports academy, referees and coaches training are among the plans to solve the challenges faced when selecting the youths to represent the county in the forthcoming games.
When completed, the academy will have scouts from the grassroots to help it have youths and competent sportsmen from the grassroots.
“We also have plans to form a county team and that will be structured by first starting up the county sports academy and having scouts from all the sub-counties to make the selection easy for us,” said Dr Samburu.
Apart from making sports a source of living, the developments in the sector will also help reduce the number of youths involved in drug abuse which has been a major cause of street thefts in major towns in Kenya.
Biko Steve 
IAN BYRON