Nairobi: A total of 241 football and volleyball teams, consisting of both men and women players, received balls and sports gear yesterday, thanks to the Department of Youth, Sports, and Social Services. The distribution ceremony took place at the Town Hall grounds, officiated by Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga, who also awarded certificates to eight referees who completed training in various categories.
According to Kenya News Agency, the event marked the conclusion of the month-long Governor’s Cup sporting tournament, which ended on June 14. Over 3,900 participants from the eight sub-counties competed in the tournament’s football and volleyball categories. The tournament featured 152 volleyball and 115 football teams, with the top teams in each category receiving trophies and cash prizes.
Governor Kahiga emphasized the importance of nurturing individual talent as a means to promote outdoor competition in the county. He pledged continued government support for the growth of sports locally and lauded the efforts of all participants in the tournament. “This year’s Governor’s Cup saw 152 volleyball and 314 football teams-over 3,900 players-register for this year’s competition, drawn from all 30 wards. These numbers reflect not only the popularity of sport, but also its power to bring people together, nurture talent, and inspire our youth,” he said.
The governor also highlighted the need for training referees at the local level to ensure that every county contributes to the national success of sports. The county has already sponsored 127 referees in both football and volleyball to officiate local tournaments. “As we prepare for next year’s edition, we are determined to raise the bar even higher. One of our immediate priorities will be training and certifying our own referees through partnerships with the National Referees Committee and other like-minded institutions,” he added.
Governor Kahiga urged players to maintain discipline and integrity both on and off the pitch, citing these qualities as key to true sportsmanship. He stressed, “No player will get very far without discipline. These uniforms should only be worn when required; either during training or while playing.”
Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services CECM Esther Ndung’u told KNA that the ultimate goal was to connect county sportsmen and sportswomen with national sports bodies like the Federation of Kenya Federation. This would provide them with opportunities to showcase their talents in national leagues. She explained the department’s objective to identify village-level sports teams with unique talents that lack resources to progress beyond their locality.
The grand finale of the Governor’s Cup took place on June 14 at Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, with winning teams and their runners-up receiving cash prizes totaling Sh.1.54 million. A total of 32 teams from the eight sub-counties competed for the ultimate prize in both soccer and volleyball categories. Kieni East triumphed in both men and women soccer categories, with Ichuga FC and Naromoru Starlets winning Sh 200,000 each. In men’s volleyball, Loistan VC from Nyeri Township secured the top prize of Sh 120,000, while Nyeri Town VC claimed victory in the women’s category.
Governor Kahiga, while presenting the awards, congratulated all participating teams and encouraged them to maintain their sporting spirit. “The curtain has officially fallen on the highly successful Nyeri County Governor’s Cup Tournament 2026, culminating in a vibrant awarding ceremony,” he said.
