Sports teaches teamwork and opens responsibilities to youth,says DP Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has said Sports and creative enterprises can change the lives of young people across the country through provision of a platform for the expression of talents and keep youth away from engaging in drugs and crime.

He was speaking in Budalangi,Busia county after joining residents at Bunyala Stadium – Siagonjo during a football match between Bunyala South and Bunyala West in a football tournament sponsored by Chief Administrative Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ababu Namwamba.

“Sports is very important especially for young people; it is not just a game, it’s not just for fun. It gives one confidence, teaches teamwork and opens possibilities. It provides room to discover abilities and charts a path towards excellence. It provides a livelihood” noted DP

The government through the Kenya Vision 2030 aims to undertake a number of programs to promote sports development as
a source of employment for the youth taking into account the crucial role Sports has in overall national development.

Over the past two decades, sports programs have proliferated as a way to engage youth in productive activities, especially in contexts marked by conflict and high unemployment. Whilst sport is not the standalone solution, it is certainly an attractive hook for many young people and can provide a conduit to employability programmes.

Believed to lead to better labor market outcomes for marginalized youth, many sports programs aim to improve psychosocial well-being and soft skills of participants besides fostering social inclusion and also helping to prevent domestic violence and anti-social behaviour as well.

Busia is well known for Kenyan football having produced most soccer stars in the country including former national team Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama and his elder brother MacDonald Mariga,AFC Leopards legend JJ Masiga, Nairobi City Stars coach Nicholas Muyoti among others.

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