Home advantage will favour Uasin Gishu County Assembly as they host the second edition of County Assemblies’ Sports Association (CASA) champions in September.
The Rift Valley based county won the overall title during the inauguration of the championships held in Nairobi last year after divorcing with KICOSCA three years ago.
While receiving the patronage at the Uasin Gishu county Assembly headquarters in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu speaker David Kiplagat said they did well in Nairobi, which was far from their home and now that they are hosting, they have all rights to defend the title in the games that kick off on 27th September to 5th October.
“As the city of champions and hosts, we have all the reasons to defend our title as well as win more titles that we lost last year,” said Kiplagat.
CASA secretary General Bernard Omboko said they are introducing two other sporting events, golf and marathon to sooth the region well known for producing world best runners.
“We are widening the net, attracting more sporting events in the championships. This is a running nation and we had to introduce half marathon as a way of celebrating local talents since many athletes come from this region as they go out there to fly our Kenyan flag,” said Omboko.
Uasin Gishu clerk Shadrack Choge said that defending the title won’t be easy but they have the power and zeal to win it.
“Defending the title will be challenged but we have nothing to lose. We must ensure that we get best results of all time,” said Choge.
While handing over the patronage, Nairobi speaker Mwaura Chege said the assemblies should avoid unnecessary fights and maintain sporting spirit and avoid fielding ineligible players.
“Sports is the best way of national cohesion and to meet the requirements, we must avoid fielding ineligible players who are like mercenaries. Let us market this sport as a product that can be saleable outside the country,” said Chege.