Victory Farms, a fish-producing firm in Homa Bay county is supporting sporting activities in Suba South to fight the triple threat among the youths.
The company has organised football and netball tournaments for the youths in the region to enable them to address social ills they may engage in when schools are closed.
Schools are closed across the country for long holidays, and during this period, youths normally engage in activities which are destructive to their lives.
The company community relations coordinator, David Otieno said such events also help them to nurture and expose the talent of youths in the area.
"The agenda is to reduce idleness in youths and engage them in meaningful activities. They also expose and nurture their talents," Otieno said.
Speaking at Nyakiamo ground in Sindo town, Suba South constituency, Otieno said they are working closely with local leaders and other organisations to address the triple threat.
Triple threats include HIV infection, gender based violence and teen pregnancies. In Homa Bay, Suba region, which includes Suba South and Suba North are among the leading constituencies with triple threat prevalence.
The high prevalence is due to social behaviour of residents.
The constituencies border Lake Victoria. They are working closely with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
"Victory Farms donates sports equipment and provides resources to support such events. It is part of the corporate social responsibility the company is undertaking," he said.
In this year's program, the company has introduced netball to include girls and young women.
Otieno said they are out to curb social vices by offering young people a constructive way to spend their time during holidays.
“We have individual awards which promote economic empowerment and address gender based violence in families. Let's work together and achieve our objective," the officer said.
Suba region FKF women representative Immaculate Auma said the Inclusion of girls and young women was of great importance to them.
She argued that such tournaments are a source of employment and income “Women's sports are thriving in the country and it's good that women from Suba are not left behind. It is also helping in coexistence," Auma said.
The community elders Medo Misama and Joab Ikawa said the initiative will not only sharpen the skills of the youths but also help them become responsible persons in society.
Misama said competitive sports make youths work hard in society.
“Apart from creating employment, youths understand that they have to work hard to earn a livelihood. Opportunities for young people are many if they identify their talents and work hard towards them," Misama said.
Ikawa said they get the opportunity to talk to youths and teach them good morals.
“The holiday would be prudently utilised among youths with such tournaments. We get time as elders to talk with them," Ikawa said.
