Growth of talent in Nairobi youth, my focus-Sakaja pledges
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has re-affirmed his resolve to ensure that his administration furthers the development of talent in the youth across the city county.
Sakaja, who in 2023 organised the record breaking off season football tournament, the Sakaja Super Cup, that brought together 340 teams drawn from all the 85 wards in Nairobi has promised to support and engage more sponsors to ensure the talent-nurturing activities across the county are sustainable and beneficial to more locals.
Sakaja made the promise when he met with the representatives of Kibra Interbase Football Teams on Tuesday, February 20, where the governor assured groups offering talent-nurturing opportunities of his support, saying that his manifesto explicitly captures the aspect of youth empowerment.
Sakaja noted that his administration was keen on the completion of the Joe Kadenge Stadium(formerly City stadium) as well as Woodley grounds which are both under construction, saying that the facilities will offer more space and better facilities for young talents across the city.
Sakaja came to the aid of Kibra Interbase Football Teams, which needed goalposts to tap and nurture talents among the youth.
Sakaja donated KSh 200,000 to the committee to facilitate the installation of the goalposts and purchase soccer-playing boots for young players.
“We are engaging the youths in the slums and giving them an opportunity to nurture their football-playing talents and earn an honest living, but sometimes we struggle to raise money to facilitate the activities.
“It is because of such shortcomings that we reached out to the governor’s political advisor William Ndung’u and asked him to support us in installing metallic goal posts and buying boots for the players. We are glad he opened his doors to us and gave us the support we needed,” said a member of the Interbase Football Teams committee.
In 2023, the governor sponsored the Kothbiro talent-searching tournament that Pumwani won. The county also partnered with Hennessy to construct a basketball court at Camp Toyoyo in Jericho as well as the completion of the ultra modern Dandora stadium, Construction works are also on going on Mwiki grounds while the second edition of the Sakaja super cup is anticipate a be bigger this year after a successful tournament last year, which was won by Githurai all stars.
