Juja MP Koimburi Calls for more Sports Facilitation In NG-CDF Fund

Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi has called for increased support for village-level sports.

The lawmaker has rooted for the increment of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) sports allocation, saying the current kitty is hardly enough to fund sports competitions across the 290 constituencies.

Currently, NG-CDF dedicates a meager 2% of funds allocated to the constituency for sports activities.

Speaking at Toll Stadium while launching the Juja Constituency Tournament, where over 130 teams are expected to battle it out in football and volleyball competitions, Koimburi said the government should consider rewarding village sportspersons handsomely.

"I urge the government to increase the share meant for sports programs in the NG-CDF kitty. We have agreed as Members of Parliament that there is an urgent need to enhance the sports share to facilitate the growth of grassroots sports," he highlighted.

A total of 118 teams are expected to take part in the football contest, while 21 others will participate in the volleyball competition.

The thrilling first-of-its-kind contest will see the winning male and female teams from the constituency participate in an electrifying competition with the best football and volleyball teams from three other constituencies.

In a central Kenya and Rift Valley contest, Juja and Lari constituency's best male and female teams will ultimately face the best teams from the Molo and Naivasha constituencies in Nakuru County.

The three-week-long tourney will dry run a major championship in which Nakuru County teams will take on Juja champions, with the winner taking home Sh 100,000 and trophies.

Participants in the contest led by Joshua Ayogo, who plays for Kenyatta Road Bodaboda FC, said the tournament will keep them busy and away from drugs and sensitize them on the importance of sports as a career and a physical fitness exercise.

"We hope the tournament will help in the fight against drug abuse amongst the youth. We urge the government to enhance the amount of resources that go towards supporting these events," Ayogo told journalists.

Benson Karanja, another player, echoed the Juja MP sentiments, urging the Ministry of Sports to introduce major competitions in rural areas to support the youth.

Karanja added that funded tournaments will facilitate their talent development for posterity.