A new chapter in youth sports development has begun at Igara Secondary School as leaders and stakeholders gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sh 55 million Igara Complex Sports Academy, a project set to nurture and transform raw talent into national athletic pride.
The modern facility which is part of Ministry of sports to establish at least a sports academy in every constituency through Kenya Academy of Sports and Busia County leadership, is designed to serve as a high-performance training and development hub for young athletes across various disciplines.
Speaking at Igara Secondary School, John Okwemba, the Director of Research at the Kenya Academy of Sports, emphasized on the benefits residents will enjoy with the presence of the facility, not limited to training but also investment and entertainment.
“The identification of talent, its development through organized training programs, and exposure to regional and global platforms are our primary goals,” said Okwemba.
“This facility will stir economic development of the area as it will attract different investors thus acting as a form of empowerment to the Igara area and Nambale subcounty at large,” he added.
The Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) is undertaking a nationwide project to construct 37 Constituency Sports Academies, with a total budget of Sh1.7 billion. These academies aim to identify, nurture, and develop young sports talents across the country, according to Kenya News Agency. The project includes equipping the academies with facilities for various sports like netball, volleyball, football, basketball, and athletics
Additionally, Eugene Okello, the Busia County FKF Chairman, shared his thoughts on the transformative effects the sports academy would have at the basic levels of football and general sports in the county and nation at large.
“This project is a breakthrough for talent development in Busia. This county has always been a region with unutilized skills. With these facilities, we can now cultivate that skill and create stars on national and international levels,” noted Okello.
He urged the coaches in the county to shift focus and embrace girls’ soccer and rugby, with has instant reward and pay off handsomely.
The sentiments which were echoed by Busia County Women Representative Catherine Omanyo who is also a member of Sports committee in the national assembly, urged stakeholders as well as the general public to support talent development by embracing different sporting activities.
“We must support and believe in our young people. This academy is not just a structure but it is a promise to every child in Busia that their talent matters and will be nurtured,” said Omanyo.
When completed, the Igara Complex Sports Academy is going to serve as a symbol of hope for the youth athletes in Busia because it will provide the region with training facilities, accommodation, learning spaces, and professional coaching.
Hon Elsie Muhanda who spoke on behalf of CS Sports Salim Mburia noted that the government has committed to constructing 290 sports academies across all 47 counties. She challenged the residents of Nambale to county themselves lucky to be among the first phase of the 55-million-shilling sports academy.
“This initiative is expected to not only elevate Kenya’s sporting prowess beyond its renowned running tradition but also stimulate the local economy by creating construction jobs and providing a community hub. As part of a broader government strategy, this academy signifies a commitment to developing youth sports infrastructure and fostering the next generation of Kenyan athletes for global competition,” said Hon. Elsie
The project will last 8 months before it’s handed over to the community for use. Both residents pleaded with contractor to maintain high standards besides ensuring that 70% laborious are locals from within.
By Absalom Namwalo and Owen Mutai
