Busia: Underliza RFC from Matayos Sub-County clinched the championship title at the Odilo Rugby 7s Raga Mpakani Session Two, overpowering Blacks RFC with a decisive 33-5 victory in the final match held at Mundika Senior Secondary School during the weekend.
According to Kenya News Agency, the women’s category saw Kingandole Rucks from Butula Sub-County emerge victorious, narrowly defeating Nambale Ladies 14-12 in a tightly contested final. Fredrick Odilo, the Busia County Assembly Speaker and tournament sponsor, emphasized the region’s wealth of sporting talent, highlighting the importance of identifying, nurturing, and supporting young athletes to help them earn livelihoods through sports.
Odilo asserted that events like the Odilo Rugby 7s are crucial for showcasing young athletes’ abilities, providing a platform for stakeholders to discover and nurture potential national and international sports stars. He also pointed out the lack of investment as a significant barrier to developing sporting talent in the region, urging investors and neighboring Uganda to back youth sports initiatives.
David Ayoyi stressed the need for greater community involvement in nurturing youth talent, noting that sports offer young people opportunities to develop skills, build discipline, and avoid crime and social vices. He argued that unemployment and idleness make youth vulnerable to criminal activities, and sports initiatives can offer them employment prospects.
Jeff Okanya called on leaders to support grassroots sporting activities, emphasizing that tournaments help identify talent while raising awareness about drug abuse and crime among young people. He encouraged leaders to engage with youth through these events to foster positive development.
Moses Obenzo urged the youth to maintain discipline and work diligently in developing their talents. He highlighted that sporting events offer an avenue to educate young people about gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, and drug addiction, emphasizing the potential for youth to use their talents to build successful careers through dedication and discipline.
