Former Harambee Stars defender Ricky Solomon believes that it is possible to use sports as a tool to prevent crime and drug use among youth in the Coastal region, given the right approach, policies, and infrastructure.According to recent statistics from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drugs Abuse (NACADA), approximately 100,000 individuals in the coastal region are affected by drug addiction, with an alarming 20,000 individuals resorting to injecting drugs such as cocaine and heroin.Findings also show that 29.3% of residents in the Coast Region are currently using at least one substance of abuse. Mombasa County is leading in terms of current use of at least one substance of abuse (34.4%) followed by Lamu 32.0%, Tana River 31.1%, Kilifi 29.7%, Kwale 26.0% and Taita Taveta 20.7%.Speaking to Mozzart Sport on Thursday morning, the audibly concerned Kenya Football Coaches Association (KEFOCA) boss argued that sports employ skills and teaching that increase adaptive and positive behavior and, thereby, address risk factors related to violence, crime, and drug use. AFCON 2027: President Ruto kicks off construction of Talanta Sports CitySolomon pointed out that the youths are not bound to be drug addicts but rather, it’s the ample time they have and also the lack of activities that leads them to derive fun from activities that entrap them in drugs, pornography, prostitution, and social ills.He added that the benefit of investing in sports will cause a ripple effect if well executed, and it stands to benefit not just the players but many other sectors of a county like Mombasa.To make that far-fetched dream come to reality, he called on the government through the Ministry of Sports to help in constructing a decent stadium in Mombasa County.##NAJAVA_MECA_7929925##The talent-rich city lacks a stadium, something Solomon believes is dragging the growth of sports in the region behind.The county does not have a single stadium and most games take place on playgrounds in the various schools. The only formidable sporting grounds are the Shella and Twaif grounds, all of which are in a deplorable state. The only standard facility that can host Kenya Premier League (KPL) matches in Mombasa is the Mbaraki Sports Club. The facility is set to undergo a Ksh 300 million renovation and will not be available until next season.Solomon noted that the region has the potential to birth and nurture more football talents but is being dragged behind by the lack of training facilities.Former Harambee Stars defender laments over the lack of stadium in CoastHe believes that if given good training facilities and mentorship, anyone in the region could be a legend. He was in the Harambee Stars team that played against Norwich City and Nottingham Forest during his heydays. “These grounds can be upgraded and improved to national and international standards. We need adequate funding to allow this to happen,” he offered.However, there is shared optimism that the lingering grievance will eventually be solved.This is after President William Ruto pledged the construction of a decent stadium in the Coast. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Talanta Stadium last week, the President unveiled plans to identify a suitable location in Mombasa for the construction of a high-quality stadium, concurrent with the ongoing development of the new 60,000-seater Talanta Sports City Stadium.”Renovations at Kasarani, Nyayo, Bukhungu, Kipchoge Keino Stadium will be done concurrently with this, and we are seriously considering another stadium in Mombasa. We will find a place in Mombasa to do a good stadium,” President Ruto stated.
