Call for learners safety dominate as KSSSA Term One Games begin in Mombasa

The highly anticipated National Secondary School Sports Association (NSSSA) Term One ball games kicked off in Mombasa, officially the beginning of what promises to be an intense and thrilling sporting action. The opening ceremony, held at Shanzu Teachers Training College Tuesday morning, set the stage for a week of high-stakes competition.

Florence Amoit, the Secretary of Administration in the State Department of Basic Education, took time to remind educators of their critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of participating students.

In her address, she highlighted the need for teachers to monitor their students closely during the event, particularly when it comes to maintaining focus on their athletic duties and avoiding distractions, such as unmonitored trips to the beach.

“For many of our players, especially those traveling from upcountry, this may be their first time near the ocean. Teachers, please ensure that no student goes swimming alone or without proper supervision,” she urged.

Beyond student safety, Amoit also turned her attention to the lack of corporate sponsorship for the upcoming second term games. With no sponsors currently confirmed, she called on businesses to step up and support the sports season, emphasizing the need for financial backing to ensure the continuity and success of the games.

“I urge companies to follow in the footsteps of Brookside, who have generously supported the Term One games. It's crucial that we secure sponsorship for the second term to ensure these events can continue to thrive,” Amoit said.

In a welcome development, Brookside Dairy has already committed Ksh 30 million in sponsorship for the Term One games.

Wilson Ogot, an official from Brookside, expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the growth of youth sports.

“Our focus is on continuity. We don’t want the incredible talent we see this week to go to waste. We are in talks with various federations to ensure that this talent is spotted and nurtured beyond the school games,” Ogot said.

The action continues throughout the week, with students competing in Rugby, Basketball, Handball, and Hockey, all vying for glory as the games run through to Saturday.