By Matilda Atieno
Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyongo’ Tuesday led the people of Rata village in celebrating the Nyamira hockey golden girls who stunned the village with their superlative and stellar performance that has brought fame and pride to the community in Seme Subcounty and to Kenya at large.
The team of girls trained and natured in hockey games at Rata primary school through Tunza foundation joined Nyamira girls secondary school in Siaya County where they blazed over the hockey championship in East and Central Africa and are looking forward to representing Africa in the World Inter Schools sports championships in Belgrade, Serbia in 2024.
In a colourful celebration held at Rata primary school where it all began for the girls hockey training, the Governor flanked by the First Lady Mrs. Dorothy Nyong’o, congratulated the girls for beating all odds and dribbling their way to fame through playing hockey in the Kenya secondary schools ball games competition delivering a jaw-dropping record for Nyamira girls hockey team.
Governor Nyong’o was excited for the Rata trained hockey girls having set a new record and for their resilience and high performance in the just concluded East and Central Secondary schools championships.
Similarly, the Governor commended Tunza Foundation for identifying the talents in these girls and spending resources to train them through the years. He also recognized the support from the various stakeholders including KMET, Plan International, Stawisha Dada and Nyamira girls for putting much effort in support of the hockey team and girl child empowerment at large.
The girls were over the moon after Governor Nyong’o gifted them with a token of Kshs 300 thousand and several other gifts from the various partners who went all in to support the girls.
Addressing teenage pregnancy in Seme, the Governor was saddened by the level of reported cases in the area and was adamant in his support for girl child by giving them ways and means to prosper.
The Governor also committed to support young mothers, announcing that very soon the community will have a mother and child hospital supported by the safaricom foundation.
Also present at the event was a CEC Member in charge Ms Beatrice Odongo of Sport, Culture, Gender and Youth Affairs, Mr. John Awiti of the Department of Education, Mr. George Okong’o of the Department of Finance and economic planning, Ms. Judith Oluoch of the Department of Governance administration among other County officials.
