Kapseret/Simat men’s team began their title campaigns on a high note by registering victories as the Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tourney kicked off at Eldoret National Polytechnic on Thursday.

There were mixed reactions in the cup finals held at Eldoret National Polytechnic, with title favourites falling by the wayside and underdogs proving critics wrong.

But Kapseret/Simat, showed no mercy to teams, ripping opposition to win two straight matches in Pool A. Segero Barsombe seemed to have tried their best, but victory went to Kapseret in a match that ended 3-1 (25-20, 23-25, 26-24 and 26-11.

Kapseret men had beaten Ainabkoi/Olare 3-0 (25-18, 25-19 and 25-13 in their first pool fixture played soon after Deputy Governor Eng John Barorot and Assembly Speaker formed an executive-legislature team and displayed great volleyball talent against a youthful team.

Sergoit, Kimumu and Kipkenyo are some of the women’s teams that prevailed at the pool matches with straight victories.

Sergoit women triumphed over Tapsagoi 3-0 (25-12, 25-21 and 25-12) and Kipsomba 3-0 (25-08, 25-16 and 25-10) in Pool G. Kimumu beat Kaptagat and Segero/Barsombe 3-0 in two Pool H matches as Kipkenyo reigned supreme with 3-0 victories over Cheptiret/Kipchamo and Kiplombe, in Pool A.

Speaking as he opened the championship, Eng Barorot said the youth need to seize such opportunities to grow their talents. He said the county government is keen on youth empowerment and talent development.

The DG reiterated that the Governor’s Cup initiative seeks to empower the youth to earn and get employed through their talents.

Assembly Speaker Philip Muigei, who displayed quality floating serving jumps during a curtain raiser match, said: “This is your chance, make use of your talents and make a living out of them.” Several Members of the County Assembly also asked the youth to use their talents to employ themselves.

The Governor saw it wise to empower youth through sports, and the Department will assist Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration to ensure that sports get to another level in Uasin Gishu,” Youth and Sports executive, Eng Lucy Ng’endo. Her Chief Officer, Nahum Jelagat, had similar sentiments.