Seme sub-county emerged winners in the Kisumu 2019 boat race competition held at Hippo point beach in Kisumu central.
The Kisumu 2019 boat race brought together 20 teams representing 2 males and 2 females’ teams from each of the 5 sub-counties that participated in the final competitions.
While addressing the event, The Chief Officer for Tourism Sports and Culture, Mr. Thomas Ouko stated that County government under the leadership of Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o is pleased to undertake the water sport activities to the higher levels as a means to alleviate sports tourism in the county.
The teams drawn from the 38 beaches in 5 sub-counties including Nyakach, Seme, Kisumu West, Nyando and Kisumu central gave their all in the competition as Kehancha from Seme emerging the best in both men and women races.
The race marked a dominant afternoon for Seme whose women also defeated hippo point women earlier in the day.
The race triumph was a magical moment for the first position both men and women teams winning gold medals, a trophy and 20 thousand shillings for the team, second position gifted with the silver medals, a trophy and 15 thousand shillings while the third position getting the bronze medals, a trophy and 10 thousand shillings respectively.
The County government under the directorate of sports organized the boat race competition to have the water sport as the county signature sports tourism.
According to Director of sports and culture Mr. Ken Otieno, the county looks forward to a regional competition between counties along the lake, adding that more activities including wrestling will be enjoined to build up the annual water sporting activities.
By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu County 2019 boat race final competition at the hippo point beach
In this season’s Kenya Premier League (KPL) there has been a flurry of action in football, as County directorate of Sports handed out contract extensions for Kisumu all-stars.
The Ag. Chief officer Tourism, Culture, Arts & Sports, Mr. Thomas Ouko this afternoon hosted All-Stars players to address the renewal of the six months contract effective 20th July 2019.
The KPL kicked off in august this year as All Stars agree to an extension under the County public service terms of contract that was signed later this afternoon.
The All Stars are new entrants in the 2019/2020 KPL season after signing in 13 new players
The exercise was witnessed by Kisumu All Stars, C. E. O Mr. Nicholas Ochieng and Team Manager Mr. Alfred Adu were.
Ag Chief Officer, Tourism, Culture, Arts & Sports Mr. Thomas Ouko Issuing contract extension to Bobby Kwaka (Team’s Captain)
Kisumu County has clinched a 66-20 win against Bungoma County in the basketball duel at the Kenya Inter-Counties Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA) which is currently on at Kericho County.
The win has propelled them to book space for the finals of which they are optimistic to win.
The table tennis team will soon be locked in a tussle with Narok in the semi -finals after thrashing Samburu 3-1 in the quarter finals
The tennis coach Mr. Antony Onyango says he is upbeat of the victory.
Elizabeth Kakai of Kisumu ( blue Jersey) scores a basket during their match against Bungoma in their Semi- finals
Kisumu basketball team dribbling the basket ball to the finals
Today, Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o affirmed his support aimed at nurturing sporting talent among the youth and empowering them to harness their potential.
“As a county we congratulate Manyatta United once again for their well-deserved victory in the National Chapa Dimba tournament that saw them being crowned as the national champions after beating Rift Valley Al – Ahly 2 – 1” said the Governor
He also lauded the Manyatta United for their sterling performance at the Nyanza Regional Chapa Dimba that earned the runners up position. Both teams having being drawn from Manyatta Youth Resource Centre under the stewardship of Antony Oballah.
“Strengthening sports industry through adequate resource mobilization and infrastructure development is a key to ensuring youths excel in sports and earn a decent living. It’s in the same breathe that we are calling like-minded corporate bodies and individuals to join us in our bid to put up an ultra-modern sporting complex at the Moi Stadium grounds” he acknowledged.
Kisumu Governor thanked Safaricom for sponsoring such tournaments and taking the boys from Manyatta United to Spain for football training. Such initiatives develop the youths to exploit their full potential including joining the ranks of professional sportsmen and women.
Manyatta United both boys and girls football teams presenting to the Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and his Deputy Dr. Ochieng’ Owili their earned Trophies following their crowning as the National Chapa Dimba winners and Nyanza Region Runners up respectively at the Governor’s office.
Trophies earned by Manyatta United team for both Girls and Boys
The directorate of sports issued sports gears towards the development of sporting activities in Kolwa East ward.
The Ag. Director for sports, Mr. Ken Otieno gave out Uniforms, footballs and shoes to the ward administrator, Ms. Dorothy Okumu. This has been made possible through the county ward development program and as a result of teamwork between the ward administrators and the members of County Assembly to boost sports activities.
The ward development program is in line with Governor Nyong’os manifesto and ten-point agenda which includes promotion of sports, skills development and innovation with the aim of nurturing and identifying talents among youths within the county.
Kolwa East ward is one of the beneficiaries of the ward development program in sports. Other wards including Nyalenda, Milimani market, Kaloleni Shaurimoyo, Kolwa Central, Kisumu West have so far benefited. Next in line are North Nyakach and Kajulu wards.
According to sports officer Mr. George Ouma, the directorate has also purchased sports gears towards the ‘Mpira Mashinani’ tournaments and are currently being issued to sports clubs within Kisumu such as Manyatta youth club, Ahero football club and Kajulu football club.
“This has been beneficial to the youths because they get exposure, job opportunities and it boosts young upcoming sports clubs within the wards,” said Mr. Ouma.
By Beatrice Akinyi
Ag Dirctor Sports, Mr Ken Otieno (left) presents sports gears to Kolwa East Ward Administrator Ms Dorothy Okumu (right) ( Picture by Jacob Owiti)
It is a dream come true for Kisumu All Stars having secured their elevation to the Kenya’s Sportpesa Premier League come next season following a victorious defeat over Thika United on Sunday the 9th of June at Thika Stadium, Kiambu County.
The Blue Eagles led by Coach Frank Oduor finished second with 80 points in the National Super League table, just one point behind the leading team Wazito FC after thrashing the relegated Thika United 7: 1.
The team came close to scoring in the second minute by Erick Otieno, and Ian Motanda netting hat rick together with Moses Odhiambo and Alvin Ochieng also scoring.
The promotion represents the bigger prize, as well a worthy reward for the Blue Eagles and Kisumu County as a whole for having another second home team after the 2010 relegated original Kisumu all stars participating in the high and competitive Premier League alongside their counterparts Western Stima.
All Stars will be participants of the Sportpesa league with the likes of the top league Champions Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Kariobangi Sharks, setting another record by putting Kisumu County in the football limelight.
Following their (Blue Eagles) glory to the top league football, County government which offers financial support to the team, and their sponsors (Royal Dental Clinic) will now focus to build up a more promising Allstars club that they believe will dominate the premier league.
By Vello Wendo
Kisumu Allstars celebrates their win against Thika United (GPU)