Homa bay: Two prominent sports personalities have embarked on promoting boxing and martial arts in schools and tertiary institutions in Homa Bay County. Sergeant Nick Okoth, the former captain of the national boxing team, ‘the hit squad’, and Dan Moi, the former captain of Harambee Stars under 17, said they were promoting sports in the county through a mentorship programme targeting schools and colleges.
According to Kenya News Agency, Okoth and Moi launched the programme at Mbita High School, where they engaged over 2,000 learners in a session aimed at popularising and improving the quality of boxing and martial arts. The sports science veterans were hosted by Mbita Deputy County Commissioner Peter Mutiso. They also visited Homa Bay County Commissioner Mr. Ronald Mwiwawi, who confirmed government support for the initiative.
Mr. Mutiso encouraged school administrators in the area to nurture sporting talents as part of the Competency-Based Education. He expressed appreciation for the icons’ efforts to motivate learners to excel not only in academics but also in co-curricular activities.
Okoth, currently a Boxing Coach in the Kenya Defence Forces, highlighted their goal to promote sports while addressing challenges like increased drug abuse among students, especially in senior secondary schools and colleges. He emphasized the importance of character development and positive behaviour change through sports training and experiential learning.
Moi stressed the need for life skills and leadership development, advocating for increased communication channels and expanded school support systems to move beyond just soccer and ball games. Their focus also includes identifying and harnessing interests, hobbies, and talents for both local and international markets.
The initiative supports schools and tertiary institutions in starting boxing and martial arts clubs, with targeted institutions including Mbita Technical and Vocational College (TVC), Wakiaga and Waondo Technical College, and Mbita Kenya Medical Training College, among others. Sergeant Okoth, who serves in the Kenya Defence Forces, has an impressive track record, having won lightweight gold in the 2017 Africa Championships held in Congo Brazzaville and participated in the last Olympics in Tokyo.
