The Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games earlier scheduled for November 30- December 8th, 2019 in Busia County have been postponed.
The Games will now be held from December 14-21st, 2019.
KYISA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) acting chairman Patrice Lumumba said the decision was reached after a meeting with KYISA Secretariat led by Secretary General Ambrose Kisoi at the Farm View Hotel.
“The move to postpone the games by two weeks was occasioned by the East African Local Authority Sports and Cultural Association (EALASCA) Games in Kampala that will run from December 1st-December 8th,” he said.
He said December 14th will be the arrival date for teams from participating counties, while the opening ceremony will take place on December 16th.
Mr Lumumba who held brief for Culture and Sports Executive John Mwami, who had busy engagements elsewhere, said the Games will offer the county an opportunity to showcase youth talents and market the county in terms of cultural heritage, hospitality, social aspects and being the gateway to East and Central Africa.
As the LOC, we have also been tasked to have the field ready with football and volleyball to be played in eight venues while basketball will be played in two venues.
The venues include Busia Stadium, St Mathias Busia Secondary, Our Lady of Mercy St Monica Chakol Girls, Lwanya Girls and Busia Township Vocational Training Centre.
“We shall also ensure there is adequate security, avail first aid facilities to participating teams and to provide adequate publicity for the games,” he said.
KYISA Secretary General Ambrose Kisoi said Busia has formally been cleared to host the sixth edition of the games that will attract participants from counties.
Mr Kisoi told the LOC to ensure the games, if done well, will leave a legacy considering that the county might bid for the games again probably after four decades.
He urged the local committee to prepare a 10-minute presentation on the county’s preparedness; we also want to see a lot visibility of Busia County.
KYISA organising Secretary George Obumba said the games will not be for the youths alone but for residents of Busia County at large, noting that the visibility of Busia will attract more teams.