Talent search: Garissa County sets aside money to invest in sports facilities as 30 referees attend training workshop

Speaking during the flagging off of Red Eagles FC, who have qualified to join the Nationwide League (Division One), Governor Nathif said he is overwhelmed to see the team from the county qualify to join the national league. 

“I guarantee my support to make sure the sporting activity in the county reaches the levels that we require,” pledged the Governor, who was accompanied by the County Executive in-charge of Sports, Youth and Education, Hussein Hajir and Chief Officer Jawahir Keinan.

“I want to congratulate Red Eagles FC for making our County proud and this occasion is something I was looking forward to see as the Governor,” he said.

“I will follow you up everywhere you play nationally to see what our own Red Eagles are doing,” he added.

Sporting gift

He told the team that they should not be mesmerised or cowed by the stature of what is awaiting them. We have what it takes to demonstrate our sporting gift against any rivals,” said the Governor.

He told the team, that if they continue working hard and put more effort in their sporting competitions, then they will be able to reach far better than what they are today.

“Feel free to communicate to us as you progress, we have a whole department that is responsible to uplift your standard”, said the Governor. He said his administration is looking forward to seeing the team’s output.

Red Eagles Coach, Ali Salat Ali said it’s the first time a football team from the northern Kenya is represented at the national level.

Meanwhile, for the first time in history of Garissa, a referees course is taking place in the county.

The Government of Garissa County in collaboration with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Garissa branch has organised a Referee Candidate Course for budding referees in the county.

Speaking while opening the five-day training workshop for 30 referees at a Garissa hotel, the County Executive in-charge of Sports, Hussein Hajir, said the exercise was meant to lift the standard of football in the region.

“We want to build on the achievement of one of our local teams, Red Eagles FC, reaching the Nationwide League and have more of them in the Division One and eventually in the Premier League,” said Hajir.

The minister said the county planned to devolve sports to every sub-county by building stadiums there.

He added that it was a shame the whole county had only three referees, hence the need to train more of them if the dream to strengthen sports at the grassroots level was to be realised.

KFF Garissa Branch Chairman, Abdullahi Salat, has commended the county administration for encouragiing sporting activities.