The colourful ceremony has brought together education stakeholders, teachers, coaches, officials from the Ministry of Education, and learners abled differently from the counties of Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Vihiga all united in celebrating talent, resilience, and inclusion through sport.
The championship features a wide range of disciplines including boys’ and girls’ football, volleyball, basketball, netball, chess, and other adapted sporting events, with competition expected to run until July 29th of July.
Speaking during the official opening, Western Region Special Needs Sports Association Chairperson Mr. Walter Kwanusu commended the Ministry of Education for facilitating the successful organization of the regional championships and enabling participating schools to travel to Mumias.
”We appreciate the Ministry of Education for supporting learners with special needs and making this championship possible. After the regional games, the selected team will proceed to a training camp before travelling to Thika for the national championships,” said Kwanusu.
He explained that the selection process would be guided by the Ministry’s directives to ensure balanced representation across different categories of disability.
”We are expected to select 43 learners with physical impairment, 30 with hearing impairment, and 21 with visual impairment. Because of these numbers and the available disciplines, some learners are forced to compete in several events, sometimes up to five disciplines, which becomes physically demanding,” he noted.
Despite funding challenges, Kwanusu expressed optimism that Western Region would once again produce a formidable team capable of excelling at the national level.
”We received about half of the budget we had proposed, but we shall utilize the available resources prudently. Western Region has consistently produced outstanding athletes, and we are confident that the team selected here will perform exceptionally well in Thika,” he added.
The event also provided an opportunity for education stakeholders to advocate for issues affecting teachers.
Kakamega County Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) Secretary Mr. Kennedy Wiva applauded the Ministry of Education for its continued investment in learners with special needs, describing the games as an important platform for nurturing talent and promoting inclusivity.
He, however, challenged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to address what he termed as career stagnation among Junior Secondary School teachers.
According to Wiva, teachers deserve a structured and predictable career progression that allows them to rise through professional ranks from classroom teacher to senior teacher, deputy principal, and eventually principal based on merit and experience.
As speeches concluded, the championship officially roared into action with a thrilling boys’ football encounter between Ematundu Special School from Kakamega County and St. Bridget Special School Akoreet from Busia County, entertaining guests and showcasing the remarkable talent, determination, and competitive spirit of learners with special needs.
Over the next three days, the games are expected to produce not only regional champions but also a team who will proudly carry Western Region’s hopes at the upcoming Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association National Championships in Thika.
