Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 586922,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/586922/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 329,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is also important for us to do it like we have seen in the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the United States of America (USA). They tap talents at a very young age. They pick them out and put them in facilities where they can continue with education, but also give them room to excel in their talents. During the schools competition, we should identify and tap the talent of young people who come from areas that have continued to produce the great men and women. It is an opportunity for our county governments to make sure young men and women excel in sports because sports are devolved. When they are making their budgets, the MCAs should see to it that enough resources are put into sports to support the young people. Currently, the meager resources allocated to sports activities are not enough. The same should also be applied at the national level. It is at the counties level, where they can start to nurture these talents and support them all the way to the national level and, finally, introduce them to the international sphere. The Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) has a component of sports and talent development at the constituency level. We can always try to see to it that even as the students are out on holidays, these funds should be utilized for a particular purpose. It woud be a good idea to channel these funds to training and putting up sports facilities at the county level. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to add my voice to what many of my colleagues have said; that it is unfortunate that we, as a country, we are not putting a lot of emphasis on national facilities for training. One of the best places for training that we have in the country right now is the High Altitude Training Centre in Iten. It is sad for us that one of our greatest athletes, Ms. Lorna Kiplagat, decided to put up a state of the art facility for us. We have witnessed even international athletes train there. The other day, Mr. Mo Farah, came to train there as well as other athletes from other parts of the world. How nice would it be for us as a country if we had such a facility owned and run by the Government? There is always the notion that the facilities put up by the Government do not have high standards. We have seen what Ms. Lorna Kiplagat has put up in Iten and I congratulate her. It is a challenge for us to have these facilities in place. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, our first lady chose to run for a good course. This is because it is something we are all proud of. She has gone out of her way to run, not just because she has nothing else to do, or get financial benefit but to save the children and mothers of this country. This is what has brought fame to this country internationally. As Sen. Billow mentioned, one of the things that Kenya is known for is her athletes. We even heard the President of the USA congratulating our First Lady. We also hope to see our President run one of these fine days. Having said that, we have also seen the efforts of our President, and I know that he can do much more. We have seen him supporting our athletes especially when they are going for international competitions and even when they are having their trials at Kasarani. We, as a Government, there is much more we can do. If there is a time that we are always so proud is when we see our athletes being given our flag to go and represent us outside this country. It is always a great time, especially when they return to the country with so much pride and honour. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, if there is any one time we feel united as a country, it is when we see our athletes running and representing our nation. At that time, we forget where they come from and their communities. What we remember at that particular time is that we are all Kenyans and the Kenya National Anthem is played. While they are there, they make us so proud. We have seen other athletes promoting peace and unity among Kenyans. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}