Parliamentarians discuss motion seeking establishment of sports academies

In a move aimed at perhaps identifying and nurturing sports talents in the country, the National Assembly on Wednesday made a gigantic step towards the less trodden path by discussing a motion seeking the establishment of the academies.

Moving the Motion,  Nominated Member of Parliament Godfrey Osotsi said that there is need of putting into place sports academies in each and every county since the Government has a budget for the same.

According to Osostsi, the venture should be extended to the ward level .

“Mr. Speaker it’s now necessary we devolve  sports activities to each and every constituency and even ward levels, I know that the Government under Vision 2030 came up with National Sports Academy at Kasarani and a lot of money has been bumped on the project, but we need to change the strategy and come up with regional academies,”he said.

Osotsi however challenged his fellow lawmakers to make time and visit their villages as a bench-marking exercise, warning that they will be shocked to find the abundance talents available, questioning why Kenya can’t produce a strong national football team.

His sentiments were echoed by Kakamega  Women Rep Muhanda  Busihile who noted that as County MP their mandate is envisioned in vision 2030, which is nurturing the talents.

“We will identify many talents if such academies are put in place.If you look at Kenya our youths have different talents but if you compare us with the other countries these talents are lying low, we need such academies  to bring out the best in our youths,” she said.

“ Sports is a huge industry and if we capitalize on it we shall produce so many Lupitas ,Wanyamas and Kembois  of this country. We have seen our youths run  bare feet but they have brought us success, therefore I am fully supporting this motion because it embraces national cohesion where youths will be traversing the whole country because of their talents,”she added.

Among those who backed the Motion is Kirinyanga  MP Wambugu Munene who said that such academies will create job opportunities.

However, Lari MP,  Jonah Mburu said that as much as he’s supporting the motion, it might be tricky since  2018-19 budget allocation has already been done, adding that such a motion needs funding hence should be timely tabled so as to get allocation.

Report By Dennis Ouru and Agnes Amondi