Kakamega's HIV awareness campaign kicks off in earnest

KENYA: In the coming months, sports will be used as part of a programme by the Kakamega County government to raise awareness about HIV and the dangers posed by drugs.

The programme will involve using soccer competitions such as the one launched by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya last week.

But the event will have a dual purpose, Oparanya said as he launched a Sh45 million Governor's Cup competition. It will also be used to identify footballing talent in the region.

Speaking at Kakamega's  Bukhungu Stadium  Oparanya said the region must nurture its talent.

"This is a platform for the youth to showcase their talent. It will also allow the county to promote health education,” said Oparanya.

 The games to be played include football, netball and volleyball.

“With the finals in December, we will use the soccer tournament to identify a county team to represent Kakamega in future tournaments. We also plan to make this tournament an annual event,” said Oparanya.

The three-month tournament will see 1,440 teams from 60 wards participating.

 “Every ward will compete and present a minimum of four teams to battle it out at sub-county level. The best teams from each sub-county will then qualify to contest at the county championship,”Oparanya explained.

The county executive member in charge of Sports and Youth Suleiman Sumba said the county had incorporated the Football Kenya Federation and other federations to assist in drawing up fixtures and ensure the tournament does not clash with their annual sporting calendar.