Coast governors challenged to invest in athletics

What you need to know:

  • Interior Chief Administrative Secretary, Patrick ole Ntutu said the region could provide renowned athletes if the six governors would share in investing in the sport.
  • Taita Taveta chief executive, Bigvai Mwailemi echoed Ntutu’s sentiments. He urged all six Coast counties to invest in sports jointly to enable the region provide top runners for the country.

Coast governors have been advised to invest on sports especially athletics to help nurture young athlete sharpen their talents to participate and represent Kenya in international races.

Interior Chief Administrative Secretary, Patrick ole Ntutu said the region could provide renowned athletes if the six governors would share in investing in the sport.

"I believe if Coast leaders agree to invest together in athletic programs, the sport will be enhanced to nature many good runners in the near future," Ntutu said.

Speaking during the Coast Region Cross Country Championship at Kijiwetanga primary school in Malindi on Saturday, Ntutu said he was impressed with the performance of the athletes who participated in the event.

He said the athletes will face experienced runners from other parts of the country during the National Cross Country Championship in Eldoret on Saturday and they therefore needed early preparation to register good performance.

He said there was need for the leaders to encourage the youth to take interest in athletics and other sports disciplines to prevent them from getting involved in drug abuse, radicalisation, early marriages and pregnancies.

Taita Taveta chief executive, Bigvai Mwailemi echoed Ntutu’s sentiments. He urged all six Coast counties to invest in sports jointly to enable the region provide top runners for the country.

"If we get together and invest, we will be able to raise the standard of our sportsmen and women and have good sports teams," said Mwailemi.