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{
    "id": 1563554,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1563554/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 289,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Oketch Gicheru",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "other leagues like the Champions League or the Spanish La Liga League on the football front alone, you will find that the related economies that come with this sport as an industry, is such a big opportunity for employing young people. So, the intent of the Bill, in terms of just creating opportunity for economic wellness for young people in this country is indeed one that warms my heart. I know that the authors of the Bill have also seen the Bill from an angle of being able to deal with a myriad of issues that comprise social problems that we face with our young people. Things like drug abuse and other forms of idleness lead our young people to things like crime in their neighborhoods. This is indeed a very warmly welcomed vision cast upon this Bill. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sire, for us to think that academies can be run by counties, it would be a big challenge; it is an outstretch. I wish that the movers of this Bill were in these conversations because sometimes it is very difficult to go back to the HANSARD and listen to what Members have said about this Bill. If you want to start thinking about sports academies in the country, the first thing you must ask yourself is, who do we want to compete with? Do you want to compete with ourselves who do not have sports academies or countries that have made strides in terms of having properly run sports academies? Sports in itself is such a big area, but also a very small area in terms of opportunity that you can get for young people. Think about the clubs that are playing the Premier League, there are only 20. If you think about the clubs that are playing La Liga, there are only 20. If you think about any top clubs, I think about in the world that are playing any leagues in those respective continental programmes of sports, they are so small that it is very difficult for young people to make it and be able to play in those major clubs. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, our first understanding about such a Bill must be understanding how the concept of academies are run within the excellences of sports in those particular regions that have made sports such a big economy. I think this is a critical part of structuring the Bill, so that when you talk about sports academies then the structure of ownership must be right from onset. Which is why the first place I would want to have a serious amendment on is in the structure of ownership of these clubs. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, what is proposed here is that counties will seek to establish these sports academies. After that Clause 36C then it establishes something called the committee, which is run by regulation from the national Government and the appointments made by the respective counties' sports committees to run these clubs. This is like building a house, starting from the wall going up instead of starting from the foundation. I think that the authors of this Bill are admiring the successful sports academies in Europe and America, which are doing very well. The sporting programmes, schemes and youth programmes that are structured within what is called academies are actually attached to successful professional clubs in these different countries. So, the first element of a great sporting academy is a successful club. That means that the stopgap we must start with is to make sure that our clubs, for whichever sport we have, are being run properly. You and I know that the clubs that we have in the country, whether it is for soccer or for netball for women, or for volleyball The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}