Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, has underlined the commitment of national government towards promoting sports in the country.
Mvurya made an assurance that the government is determined to revive the sporting culture from the grassroots level by establishing robust facilities for all kinds of sports and positioning the country as a prominent sporting nation.
Mvurya who was speaking in Kwale commended the county government for the ongoing refurbishment works at the Kwale County Stadium.
He said the Sh450 million state-of-the-art stadium in Kwale town is expected to elevate the status of the coastal county in matters of sports development.
The new multimillion-shilling stadium features a football pitch, running track, volleyball and basketball courts and facilities for other ball games and is expected to have a transformative impact on sports in Kwale and the entire coastal region.
The stadium was constructed by the national government in 2024 in time to host last year’s 61st Mashujaa Day Celebrations on October 20, 2024 and has significantly changed the skyline of the once sleepy town.
The Sports minister who toured the sprawling facility in Tsimba/Golini ward emphasised that supporting sports through suitable infrastructure will establish Kwale as a potential sporting powerhouse.
The ultra-modern Kwale stadium recently received a consignment of 8,000 bucket seats designed to provide comfort and support to spectators and fibre goalposts courtesy of the Ministry of Sports.
“The maintenance, refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Kwale stadium and other sporting facilities by the devolved government represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance sports infrastructure across the country,” he said.
He urged the counties and other stakeholders to display greater interest and commitment to investing in sports emphasizing on the pivotal role sports play in shaping the destinies of millions of young people.
Mvurya was speaking during an assessment tour of the 13,000-seater sporting facility in Kinarani area, Tsimba/Golini ward, Matuga sub county.
The CS was accompanied by the Principal Secretary (PS) for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, and Kwale County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Sports, Social Services and Talent Management Francisca Kilonzo.
The officials who expressed satisfaction with the quality and progress of work conducted an assessment on the rehabilitation and upgrade of the football pitch turf and irrigation system at the Kwale Stadium.
“The modernized surface and efficient irrigation will deliver a world-class playing field capable of hosting both local and international fixtures, while promoting athlete development and sports tourism in the coastal region,” said Mvurya, adding that good pitches are important in the development of football talents across the country. Adding, “we are satisfied with how Kwale county government is managing its sports infrastructure”.
The CS said the new facility was meant to serve as a vital community asset designed to be accessible and functional making it central hubs for sports and recreational activities.
He called for increased collaboration between the national government and the county governments to further advance sports development in the country.
Mvurya disclosed that the national government will construct 30 more new stadiums across the country in the next year, besides refurbishment of the existing sports facilities as part of a broader effort to overhaul the country’s sporting infrastructure.
The CS expressed the government’s commitment to constructing new stadiums in regions currently lacking adequate sports infrastructure and intensify efforts to boost sport tourism.
Mvurya said the national government seeks to also develop 37 dedicated sports academies worth Sh1.7 billion across the country in a bid to nurture talent and propel sports to even greater heights.
He said the academies will identify and nurture raw talent from the grassroots level to meet international sporting standards.
“Developing sports remains part of President William Ruto’s agenda of meaningfully engaging the youths hence setting up the academies,” he said adding that his Ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the well-being of the youth and promoting the growth of the sporting community across the country.
The CS noted that he is keen to mobilize the youth to embrace their sporting talents, nurture them through sports academies, and provide platforms for talent scouting, ultimately transforming these skills into income-generating opportunities.
Mvurya says the sporting industry remains an important sector in the country and over the years has contributed significantly to economic growth.
County Executive for sports Francisca Kilonzo assured of the county government’s readiness to promote sporting activities across Kwale with a view to encouraging youth participation to showcase their talents.
She emphasized that the county under the leadership of Governor Fatuma Achani would work diligently to ensure the stadium is highly maintained and meets international standards.
“As a county administration we would always ensure our sporting facilities across Kwale remain in perfect condition for the continued growth and success of sports,” she said.
Francisca said the county is constructing sports fields across the 20 administrative wards in a bid to promote grassroots sports development.
By Hussein Abdullahi
