Irene Mayaka during the launch of soccer tournament in Nyamira county

Nominated Member of Parliament Irene Mayaka has launched a football tournament set to attract various male and female teams across Nyamira county ahead of its kick off in February 2023.

The Kenya Young Parliamentary Association (KYPA) legislator said the inaugural edition titled 'Super MP Cup' will address critical issue of climate change besides providing youth with a platform to showcase their prowess.

"We will use the tournament to address key societal issues during the period like Climate Change - Saving Our rivers (being the key theme), mental health, drug abuse and also support our local artists." she said.

The event is set to he held in compliance with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) regulations and will be graced by federation county officials amongst other football stakeholders in the country.

"I held a meeting to officially announce registration for the ‘NYAKERARIO MAYAKA - SUPER MP CUP’ that will be played by teams currently featured under FKF Nyamira Chapter with full participation of all the women soccer teams alongside the male teams" she added.

In 2019,Mayaka emerged third of KTN Home’s Ms President Reality Show during the grand finale staged at the Catholic University of East Africa.

For close to 20 years, the number of sportsmen and women from the region winning medals in international and local sporting activities has been on a tremendous decline, leaving stakeholders with unanswered questions.

Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo recently said that the county is refining various legislative frameworks that will necessitate growth of sports in the region.

“Our region has proved to be a great place for sports talents. We are now in the process of making sure we get our county back to where it used to be in terms of success in sports,” Nyaribo said

He  said local youth possess various unused sporting talents, largely due to lack of support and mentorship from the relevant authorities.

“Our youths lack committed persons of good will who can identify and nurture their passion to excel in sports and improve on their livelihoods." remarked Mogaka,a lawyer and advocate of the high court

Shabana FC which is associated with the area is currently featuring in the country’s second-tier National Super League (NSL) despite bragging of colourful glory days in the past  when it used to be one of the giants in top flight football dining on the same table with both Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards