Ever wondered how the global scene would be like without sports as a paramount hobby, interest and stronghold for some people?
It’s totally beyond imagination, at least for a normal human mind, and the implications go far beyond what one may presume.
Tracing the path of sports, since its inception is a daunting task, and it’s definitely pointless to try and pinpoint specific milestones that have been contributed to the society as a result of sports’ achievements.
What we can generally conclude is that it has strengthened the social fabric of communities and pioneered development and stability, be it in economic field or diplomatic relations between different nations and localities, from the Roman games to the Greek bonanzas that paved the way for the Olympic Games.
This essentially applies back home, where Western Kenya has continually produced sporting icons to grace the field in various games through the years. Rugby players Collins Injera, Humphrey Khayange, former rugby national team player Innocent Simiyu, soccer stars like the late Ken Simiyu, just to name a few have come out of the “talent quarry” that is Western Kenya.
Games such as rugby and football in Kenya proudly house big names from Western Kenya among their ranks, and the influence they have had is undeniable.
Keeping the talent fabric tight
It’s nice when we can boast about a deep and long talent line when it comes to sports in Kenya, but the real challenge is keeping the talent pool well nourished and having stake investments in place to enhance longevity.
On April this year, 2016, The Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) finals were held at Friends School Kamusinga high school in Bungoma County, and schools from Western region took center stage.
Bungoma High school won the 15-aside rugby championship, as Kakamega Boys High school, a school which has dominated the game in the past years, scooped third place.
For a moment one realizes that these games have put Western Kenya on the map, the former province has maintained the reputation of sweeping away most trophies on offer during High School games.
The hosts on the other hand, Friends School Kamusinga boys High school won the hockey tournament, beating Upper Hill by 2 goals to 1, with St Anthony’s boys high school from Kitale coming third, not to forget Malava Boys high school from Kakamega county who have also dominated the volleyball scene in the past.
It’s a great sign when schools from Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia and Vihiga counties dominate, and it’s a source f pride and joy. It’s all rosy on one side, but a dreadful darkness looms on the other side, hidden from the eyes of the community.
A rosy atmosphere reigns when the kids are strutting their stuff on the field, but darkness awaits when they finish their high school education, and aspire to employ their talents further.
These talents stand a risk of going down the drain if not well nurtured. How? One may ask, well, most students who were a class apart in high school in certain games disappear in a talent black hole few years later. It’s a sad state of affairs, but nonetheless, a firm truth.
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Different factors contribute to this, among them corruption and favoritism. Corruption, especially, halts fair and reliable disbursement of funds needed to invest in upcoming talent, given that funds from the county governments are carelessly used.
All in all, the counties in Western Kenya need to unite and ensure accountability when it comes to nurturing talents, and focus on maintaining the good image of the region when it comes to sports.
It’s a project that should be given consideration and enough time should be set apart to combat the wasting away of the immense talent pool straight after high school, this will provide a strong base for future sports greats from Western Kenya.
By Samuel W. Nyongesa
