Sports

Relief after Vihiga County finally allocates Sh40m to support local sports clubs

Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 01:38 | By
Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo (centre) greeting players before a local match at the weekend. PD/ ENOCK AMUKHALE

Vihiga County Governor Wilber Ottichilo has said the county has set aside a budget for Sh 40 million through the county sports fund to support local teams in Vihiga County to relieve them from financial strain.

Ottichilo observed that many clubs in the sports-rich county were facing financial difficulties, something that made his office intervene by giving both material and financial support.

He said the funds will help  to facilitate  the local football teams including those clubs in the Kenya Premier League and other teams that are in National Super League (NSL) and Division as well.

Ottichilo said the sports fund will be increased in the subsequent budgets to ensure more teams are supported and talents nurtured.

“We have budgeted for Sh 40 million sports fund and are planning to double the sports fund in the coming supplementary budgets, we want to have Sh60 million for our teams,” Ottichilo said.

Ottichilo said initially when the kitty was created county lawmakers proposed Sh30 million.

He said the kitty was created after the Auditor General had raised queries about why Vihiga United and Vihiga Queens’ players were being paid by the county government yet they were not county staff.

“What most people seem not to understand is why that kitty was created, we wanted to ensure that when queries from the Auditor General come we have no issues while responding to them,” Ottichilo said.

Ottichilo said Vihiga embraces football, athletics and other sports and therefore needs more funding.

He said the County government is determined to upscale support for sportsmen and women by boosting the standards of sporting activities in the county.

“In recent years the county has shown immense support in sporting and talent development. We have thought it is right to add more money to our growing talents,” said Ottichilo.

“With Sh40 million annually it will help talent development in the county that boasts of well-performing sports teams like Vihiga Queen and Bunyore Starlets in Kenya Women’s Premier League,” he said.

The teams that are in Kenya’s premier league include Vihiga bullets for men, Vihiga queens and Bunyore starlets for women. Vihiga United was relegated to the National super league.

Ottichilo said his office would continue to give the necessary support to all clubs from the county that play in the country’s top competitions.

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