Vihiga: The Vihiga County government has allocated Sh 5 million to support the sports teams' participation in upcoming events. Speaking during the commissioning of the funds, Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders, including team leaders and the Department of Sports, for their continued support and commitment.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Ottichilo applauded the progress made in the sports sector since the county began allocating resources to support local talent. He noted that initially, there were only two teams, but since the introduction of funding, several teams have emerged, and sporting activities have significantly increased. The governor emphasized the wealth of talent in Vihiga and said the county is committed to nurturing them through continued financial support.
The governor acknowledged challenges such as limited financial resources and delays in disbursements from the national government. He mentioned receiving frequent calls about the inadequacy of resources, expressing a desire to increase funding despite these challenges. To address funding issues, Governor Ottichilo proposed diversifying county revenue streams and urged residents to cooperate with the government on tax compliance to support social programs.
Governor Ottichilo also revealed plans to purchase land and construct a stadium in Vihiga, with Sh30 million allocated to complete the construction of Hamisi Stadium. This facility is intended to host county sporting events and serve as a hub for nurturing local talent.
Meanwhile, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, Anne Desma, congratulated the 12 teams that qualified for funding. She reiterated the county's commitment to helping remaining teams qualify in future calls for applications and pledged support to those who did not qualify, promising assistance in securing necessary documentation. Desma highlighted Vihiga's immense sporting potential and the importance of engaging private partners and corporate stakeholders to help young people find employment through sports.