This archive report was first published on 9 May 2021.
On May 9, 2021, a three-day referee training program was conducted in Samburu north constituency to equip youths with professional sports management skills.
The training, funded by the Samburu north constituency National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), was conducted by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Samburu chapter.
According to Wilson Leshore, the Samburu north NG-CDF chairman, the training aimed to equip the youths with professional referee skills to improve soccer in the region and enhance peace between the pastoral communities living there.
"Lately, the youths have been organizing peace tournaments in Baragoi town and have been calling on leaders and well-wishers to support them. I believe the referees training will go a long way in improving soccer in Samburu north and enhance peace between the pastoral communities living here," he said.
Referee trainee Bernard Lemako noted that the training will improve soccer tournaments in Samburu north and eventually even produce teams that will play in the Kenya Premier League.
"At the moment, we are concentrating on peace tournaments that will promote cohesion among the two communities living in Samburu north because we believe the bandit mentality will be changed and forgotten through sports," he said.
Referees instructor Francis Oliele encouraged Samburu youths to engage in sports, saying that if one is dedicated, it is a well-paying job like any other.
The youths were taken through a Physical Endurance Test (PET) among other mental and psychological training, and later accredited as referees.
