Support grassroots community clubs - Owalo tells leaders, sponsors

ICT CS Eliud Owalo has urged leaders and various sponsors to support Community clubs at the grassroots.

Speaking on Thursday, the CS noted that the future of football in the country lies in Community clubs.

"Let's support Community clubs. That's where the future of soccer in the country is," he said.

The CS made the remarks during a meeting with Muhoroni Youth FC at Muhoroni Stadium in Kisumu County.

Through the Eliud Owalo Foundation, the CS donated 40 Tracksuits plus a Cash donation of Sh500,000 to the team.

Owalo noted that the identification and nurturing of the talent of the Youth through Sports for purposes of Youth empowerment is at the Centre of the Kenya Kwanza and President Dr. William Ruto’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda(BETA).

He appealed to the youth to consider sports as a serious engagement.

"We want to encourage young people who are playing soccer, at whatever level to take the game seriously.

"This is because It is a big money industry today," the CS said.

He at the same time promised to look for a sponsor for the Muhoroni Youth FC.

The team's director Moses Adala said the team which plays in the Kenya Premier League is in position 14.

The director thanked the CS for his continued support of the local teams in the country.

The CS was accompanied by Kisumu Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda; SASRA Chairman Jack Ranguma; AFFA Director Samwel Ongow; former Assistant Minister, Prof. Ayiecho Olweny; former Kisumu Mayor, Sam Okello; area DCC Stephen Omojong, Women leader, Valentine “Agal Toto”; MCAs Regina Kizito; Kelvin Oraro; Tom Nyaoke; and Millicent Omenya amongst others.

Ayiecho asked the community to support President William Ruto's government.

"We have been in opposition for over 60 years. As a community, we now must change our approach to politics," he said.

Former Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma appealed to footballers to save part of what they earn for the future.

"Save for the future. Join Saccos and save what you earn. It will help you when you grow older, " he said.

AFA director Samuel Ongou said the government has allocated Sh117 billion to be used to offset the debt owed by public sugar factories.

He said that the Nzoia sugar company owes creditors Sh56 billion while Sony owes Sh8 billion.

"We are grateful for the gesture by the government and we thank President William Ruto for coming to the rescue of the factories," he said.

Chemelil, Miwani, and Muhoroni are some of the sugar factories from the region that will benefit from the bailout.

Senator Prof Tom Ojienda said sports are important and need to be supported.

He said he is supporting a football tournament for the under 18 in Kisumu County whose finals will be played on 29th December.

He announced that the players who are taking part in the tournament will be given bursaries and scholarships.

"We have the social responsibility to grow the teams. Let's nurture and support our talented youth," he said

"We have an obligation as leaders to support the government. We must preach development. "

He said the region wants to see the sugar factories made vibrant and conditions of the road improved.

Ojienda further appealed for the establishment of sports academies in the county.

"Let's have a youth academy that grows talent," he said.

The senator donated Sh 200,000 to Muhoroni Youth FC.