Community's aim for a multi-purpose court

FOR the past 10 years, some members of the Kinoya community have been feeling a deep sense of frustration as their longstanding plans to construct a multi-purpose court at Velau grounds in Kinoya have continuously been overlooked and ignored.

This project, which holds great significance for the residents, remains a top priority, and community president, Viniana Sinaitakala Seru, is reaching out to the Government for support to bring this long-awaited dream to fruition.

Seru explains the community has been diligently pursuing this project for several years, even going as far as organising a Kinoya Day as part of their efforts to raise funds for the court.

“We’ve been working hard on this project for a long time. We even organised Kinoya Day to raise money for the court,” said Seru.

“The main reason we want this court is to give our youth a place to play sports like volleyball, netball, and basketball.

“We have so many teams and clubs in our community that need a proper place to play.”

She adds the lack of such a facility impacts the athletic aspirations of the youth. The court, she believes, would serve as a deterrent against involvement in criminal activities and substance abuse.

Kinoya is known as a hotspot for drug-related issues and providing the youths with positive outlets such as sports can steer them away from potentially harmful behaviour and towards a brighter future.

“Not having a sports facility doesn’t just affect our youth’s dreams, it also makes them more likely to get involved in bad things like crime and drugs.

“We need to give them positive things to do, like playing sports, to keep them on the right path.”

Acknowledging the community’s plea, two pastors have actively engaged with at-risk youths, offering guidance and support to help them navigate away from paths of crime and towards more positive endeavours.

“I would like to thank our two pastors. They have been engaging with the youths who were in prison, guiding them away from trouble and towards better things.”

The Kinoya community’s efforts have also garnered the attention of government officials, with the former Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources Jone Usamate and Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources has Filimoni Vosarogo being made aware of the need for a multi-purpose court in Kinoya.

“On our last Kinoya community day in 2022, we had our chief guest as Jone Usamate and he is aware of this request and our plea for a land that we can use.

“Our upcoming Community Day is on November 29, with Minister Vosarogo attending, and it gives us hope for the future.

“I am excited about what is to come. With the support of the Nasinu Town Council and the Government, we are getting closer to making our dream a reality.”