Kitui County MP Dr. Irene Kasalu has unveiled an ambitious youth empowerment vision anchored on sports, skills development and economic opportunities as preparations gather pace for the inaugural Dr. Kasalu Super Cup.

Kasalu said the tournament, which is scheduled to officially kick off on September 11, 2026, will run until December and begin at the village level before expanding into a wider platform for nurturing and identifying sporting talent across Kitui.

In an official statement, the legislator said the initiative was conceived after she recognized that many young people were not being reached through existing community-based programmes because they were not members of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

“Our journey has always been about empowering and creating opportunities for our people,” Kasalu said, explaining that while her programmes had initially focused on supporting community groups through CBOs, there was a need for an additional platform that could reach young people directly.

She said the Super Cup is intended to give boys and girls an opportunity to discover, develop and showcase their talents while keeping them engaged in constructive activities.

Kasalu clarified that the tournament is currently at the registration stage, with teams being registered and meetings being held with club captains.

She said the consultations are aimed at giving teams an opportunity to share their views and suggestions before the competition officially begins.

The MP also urged members of the public to remain patient over the tournament's award structure, saying the details had not yet been officially finalized.

“Let us avoid creating unnecessary disagreements over matters that have not yet been officially announced,” she said.

According to Kasalu, the Super Cup is designed to become more than a one-off football tournament, with plans to transform it into a sustainable youth talent development programme.

She said the initiative will eventually expand beyond football to include volleyball, handball, netball and other sporting disciplines, creating opportunities for young people with different abilities and interests.

Kasalu said the long-term vision is to establish a platform capable of identifying talented young people and connecting them with opportunities to develop their skills.

Beyond sports, the legislator announced plans for a proposed Kitui Youth Service, which she said could provide a second chance to young people who dropped out of school or were unable to proceed to university or college.

Under the proposed programme, beneficiaries would undergo approximately three months of practical skills training, receive tools to enable them to start working and gain opportunities to offer their skills within the county.

Kasalu said the broader youth agenda is aimed at addressing unemployment and giving young people practical alternatives through which they can earn a living and contribute to the development of Kitui.

“This is not just about football. It is about giving our young people hope, purpose, skills and opportunities,” she said.

The MP has called on football clubs, team captains, players and supporters to take ownership of the Super Cup, saying their participation and input would be critical to its success.

With the tournament expected to run from September to December, the initiative is likely to attract teams and young footballers from different parts of Kitui as preparations intensify.

Kasalu said the ultimate goal is to build a lasting youth empowerment platform that will continue creating opportunities beyond the 2026 tournament.

“To our clubs, captains, players and supporters: this is your tournament, your platform and your opportunity,” she said.

She urged residents to support the initiative and allow consultations to continue so that the tournament can be organized in a manner that delivers meaningful benefits to young people.

The proposed expansion into other sporting disciplines and the planned youth skills programme could further broaden the initiative's reach, positioning the Super Cup as part of a wider strategy to empower Kitui's young population through talent development, practical skills and economic opportunities.