Athletics Kenya is confident of retaining the World Athletics Kids title following the country’s impressive performance in last year’s global challenge.
Last year, World Athletics recognized Kenya as the winning Member Federation during the Kids’ Athletics Day challenge after the country contributed nearly a quarter of participants in the “Relay Around the World” campaign.
This year, Kenya is intensifying preparations with more than 20 kids’ camps spread across the country as young athletes aim to defend the title against participants from all six continents. The Athletics Kenya Kids activation programme, which started early this month, will culminate on May 14 in Baringo County.
Athletics Kenya Youth Director Barnabas Korir expressed confidence that Kenya will maintain its dominance following the successful rollout of this year’s activation programme.
Korir noted that last year’s triumph transformed the landscape of youth sports development in the country, adding that the federation will continue applying similar strategies in schools and training camps to secure another global victory.
According to Korir, the initiative has played a major role in helping young athletes identify and nurture their talents while also empowering teachers with skills to effectively manage sports programmes in schools.
Meanwhile, three pupils from Cheirot Primary School, one of the designated World Athletics training camps in Kenya, have qualified to represent the country at the upcoming East African Games in Arusha.
The school’s head teacher, Mark Lelei, praised Athletics Kenya for its efforts in nurturing young talent but appealed to the government and well-wishers to support the pupils with proper nutrition and essential training resources.
Lelei emphasized the need for additional facilities to help develop emerging athletes and better prepare them for regional and international competitions.