Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has promised to reward Sh100 000 to any team from the county that will lift the Western Regional Secondary School Sports Association Championship.
The regional games start officially on Wednesday and will last for four days at St Peters Mumias Boys High School.
Kakamega County is presenting over 450 student participants in the competitions in 14 disciplines.
Schools from Kakamega will battle with those from Bungoma, Busia, and Vihiga for the Western region.
The disciplines include Soccer Boys and Girls, Basketball Boys and Girls, Netball, Volleyball boys and girls, Rugby Boys and Girls, Lawn Tennis boys and girls, Badminton Boys and girls, and Table Tennis Boys and Girls.
The Governor said he expects a derby style competition from sport giants like Butere Girls Soccer which played at the finals of the East Africa Secondary School Games held in Uganda last year.
Fierce competition is also expected in soccer boys, Rugby boys and other disciplines as schools will display stiff competition to book a slot to the National Secondary school games and later to East Africa Championship.
Kakamega is hosting the regional games for western, then national games as it prepares to welcome visitors for the Federation of East Africa Secondary School Sports Championship in August.
Speaking when he flagged off the Kakamega teams at St. Peters Mumias Boys High School, Governor Barasa asked students to exercise a high level of discipline and maintain their focus.
“I want to emphasise the fact that as you excel in sports let us maintain being the academic champions in the nation and in the region because that is what will give you an opportunity even when you want to go far in sports,” he added.
He also asked the competitors to engage in fair play competition and use the opportunity to interact.
“This is an opportunity for you to shine and also make us proud,” he noted.
The Governor assured participants of high-level preparations in the county sports fields to host all the competitions slated in the coming weeks.
He said the county is going to be very busy asking the business community to utilise the opportunity to interact and sell their merchandise.
The Governor noted that Bukhungu Stadium turf is being developed at the standard similar to those approved by the International Federation Association of Football (FIFA), to host the national school games and the east African competition.
“The works are going on very well at Bukhungu Stadium and I have been assured by the contractor that we are going to have a FIFA standard turf ground. We are also preparing the stadium to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations. We are much focused and I am sure by June next year our Stadium will be 100 percent complete,” he pointed out.
By Moses Wekesa
