By James Wanjiku
Nyeri County has unveiled a 70-member team of young athletes set to represent the region in the 2025 Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games, scheduled to take place from April 13 to 19 in Homa Bay County.
The team, composed of youth aged between 18 and 23, was flagged off on Thursday afternoon by Nyeri Deputy Governor Kinaniri Waroe in an event held at the county headquarters.
The players were selected following rigorous trials conducted across the eight sub-counties of Nyeri.
“This is a fully-fledged team, and we expect it to perform well during the national games,” said Waroe.
“They have been well trained by our Department of Sports, and we believe this group has what it takes to bring home trophies,” he added.
The delegation includes 22 football players and 48 volleyball players, all drawn from grassroots levels and selected based on their performance during trial tournaments.
The trials, according to officials, attracted 210 participants, from which the final team was picked.
County Executive for Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, Esther Ndung’u, said the trials were part of an inclusive process aimed at giving equal opportunity to talented youth from all parts of the county.
“We advertised and invited interested young people to participate in the trials. The turnout was impressive, and the 70 athletes who made it through the final selection demonstrated outstanding skill and potential,” said Ndung’u.
She emphasized that the KYISA Games are not just about competition but also about nurturing young talent from the grassroots.
“After these games, we will continue training and supporting these athletes. Our goal is to build a formidable team that will consistently represent Nyeri County at national events,” she added.
Waroe urged the athletes to maintain high levels of discipline and sportsmanship as they prepare to face competitors from the other 46 counties.
“We are confident in your ability, but remember that representing Nyeri is also about how you conduct yourselves on and off the field,” he said.
Beyond the immediate goal of performing well at KYISA, the county government is developing plans to track the athletes’ progress and connect them with opportunities in higher-level leagues and professional sports.
“This isn’t a one-time event. We are committed to walking with these young men and women even after the KYISA Games,” said Ndung’u.
“Whenever opportunities arise, we will ensure they are linked to platforms where they can advance their sporting careers,” she added.
The KYISA Games, an annual event, bring together youth from across the country to compete in various disciplines, while also fostering unity, talent development, and cultural exchange.
Nyeri’s team has travelled to Homa Bay, hopeful of making a strong impression at the national stage.
