Eldoret, Uasin Gishu – Uasin Gishu County, in collaboration with the Paul Bitok Foundation and other partners, has launched the second series of the Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament for 2023. This initiative aims to provide a platform for the region’s youth to demonstrate their volleyball talents. The tournament is set to commence on Thursday, November 30, 2023, at the Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP) and will feature 100 teams from the county as well as from regional participants from Uganda and Tanzania.
According to Kenya News Agency, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim praised the significance of the event, highlighting its role in offering the youth an opportunity to showcase their sporting skills. He emphasized the tournament’s theme of promoting environmental conservation and addressing climate change, aligning with the president’s call to grow trees and foster environmental awareness.
Governor Chelilim reflected on the success of the previous governor’s cup volleyball tournament, which saw participation from 298 teams and 4,172 youth. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the youth through sports, acknowledging the potential of sports in nurturing talents, enabling economic empowerment, and contributing to sustainable development.
The tournament, in partnership with the Paul Bitok Foundation, has drawn interest from 36 elite professional teams, 62 self-supporting teams, and involvement from 12 schools, colleges, and universities. The governor announced that the county would sponsor 60 teams that qualified through their performance in the Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tournament, underlining the county’s commitment to recognizing and nurturing grassroots talent.
In addition, the County Volleyball KICOSCA championship team, which placed as the second runners-up in the 2023 Kenya Inter-County Sports and Cultural Association (KICOSCA), will participate, adding to the tournament’s competitiveness and diversity.
Governor Chelilim also confirmed the county administration’s plans to construct a multipurpose hall for indoor games like volleyball, enhancing training and engagement opportunities for participants.
Paul Bitok, the patron of the Bitok Foundation, commended the county government for its support and noted that proper arrangements have been made to accommodate the 100 teams in various categories. He explained the tournament’s structure and the inclusion of different categories to ensure efficient management of the matches.
The County Executive for Sports, ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs, Eng. Lucy Ngendo, expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Paul Bitok Foundation. She revealed plans for an indoor games facility in Racecourse Ward, Kapseret Sub County, which will play a crucial role in training volleyball players. The construction of this facility is awaiting final drawings from Public Works.
The Eldoret City Volleyball Tournament 2023 is set to be a significant event, showcasing the region’s commitment to sports development, youth empowerment, and environmental conservation.
