KISUMU, Kenya, September –The County Government of Kisumu is now set to partner with Cricket Kenya in a bid to promote mental wellness among its citizens.
The announcement was made jointly between the County Executive Member in charge of Sports (CECM), Beatrice Odongo, and her Health colleague, Dr Gregory Ganda, alongside Cricket Kenya chief executive officer, Ronald Bukusi.
CECM Odongo said plans are underway to renovate the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex into a premier sports venue for the event.
Speaking at the ASCA conference in Kisumu, Odongo said cricket enjoys enormous goodwill from the lakeside city hence the need to promote it as a wellness activity.
She said the event will engage many young people in addition to leveraging Kisumu as a sports tourism destination.
CECM Odongo said the venture will be done in partnership with Cricket Kenya.
.
He said sports are a major therapeutic value in mental wellness.
Bukusi said promoting cricket and fostering sportsmanship among the youth and local clubs by providing them with top-tier facilities was a major agenda item.
The CEO said Cricket Kenya is currently training students from over 25 schools across the country.
He said their ambition to target Kisumu as a major development centre for budding cricketers from the Western and Nyanza regions aligns perfectly with our goals,
He added that the initiative will not only nurture local talent but also significantly boost sports tourism.
“Such initiatives will not only nurture local talent but also strategically position Kisumu as a sports destination hub for both local and international events, significantly boosting sports tourism in our region,” he stated.
