Two prominent sports personalities have embarked on promoting boxing and martial arts in schools and tertiary institutions in Homa Bay County.
Sergeant Nick Okoth, the former captain of the national boxing team, “the hit squad” and Dan Moi, the former captain of Harambee Stars under 17 said they were promoting sports in the county in a mentorship programme targeting schools and colleges.
Okoth and Moi launched the programme Sunday at Mbita High School, where they engaged over 2000 learners in a motivating session geared towards popularising and improving the quality of boxing and martial arts.
The legendary sports science personalities were hosted by Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso.
They also paid a courtesy call to Homa Bay County Commissioner Mr. Ronald Mwiwawi, who expressed government support for the initiative.
Mr Mutiso challenged school administrators in the area to ensure sporting talents were nurtured to enrich the Competency Based Education.
“I am pleased that our sports icons, Okoth and Moi, are giving back to the society by motivating learners to excellence not only in academics but also in co-curricular activities,” The administrator said.
Okoth who is currently a Boxing Coach in the Kenya Defence Forces, said their goal was not only to promote sports but also to address challenges such as increased drug abuse among students, especially in Senior Secondary Schools and colleges.
“Our objective is to create avenues for character development and influence positive behaviour change through sports training and experiential learning.” He said
On his part, Moi emphasised the need for life skills and leadership development, increased channels of communication and expanding school support systems to diversify from soccer & ball games.
He said they were also focused on the identification and harnessing of interests, hobbies and talents for local and international markets.
Moi said they were supporting schools and tertiary institutions to start boxing and martial arts clubs.
Among the targeted institutions were Mbita Technical and Vocational College (TVC), Wakiaga and Waondo Technical College, and Mbita Kenya Medical Training College, amongst other institutions.
Sergeant Okoth, who serves in the Kenya Defence Forces, won lightweight gold in the 2017 Africa Championships held in Congo Brazzaville and also participated in the last Olympics in Tokyo.
By Davis Langat
