Mumias Central principal Francis Makau has counted the number of blessings that has come with the establishment of Athletics Kenya junior training camp at the facility.
Mutuku who has hosted the camps three times, said that it not just hosting the camp but it has come with blessings with proceeds from the camp has helped in building infrastructure for the school.
“I am humbled to be one of the hosts of such camps. The government through the federation has been sending money not only to feed the athletes and accommodation but whatever that remains helps the school to do other development,” said Makau.
“Through the funds, we have managed to build a modern assembly as well as improving on the laboratory for the junior school category where we have already made the ceiling board, painting the rooms and this is due to this program that have benefitted the learners and the rest of the stakeholders,” said Makau.
The camp coordinator Henry Moi said that as a parent, to young the people, having a camp can reduce early marriages, drug abuse because we are in rural areas that is vulnerable.
“This will improve on the capacity to compete both at the national and international standards.”
Athletics Kenya’s Youth Development secretary Joseph Ilovi, who visited both the Nyang’ori and Mumias camps said that there is not to improve the welfare of athletes and the facilities they train in.
“We want to bring in a wholistic athlete, who can read and write and run well. Many of these facilities especially schools that they use, they have immensely improved in infrastructure and that is what we want, bringing change to the society,” said Ilovi.
Athletes Maxwell Simiyu Juma from Nyang’ori and Esther Atsenga of Mumias have set their eyes to compete for the country at the Africa Under 20 Championships in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
As the captain from Nyang’ori, Simiyu said that the camp has been a pillar in their careers as they prepare for top honours next year.
The 18 year old who competes in both the 100m and 200m said that he has been inspired by Commonwealth games 100m champion Ferdinand Omanyala to take up the mantle.
“This camp has been of great help to nurture our talents, improving on skills, endurance and keeping us busy. This place is good and keeps us busy away from drugs as we aspire to represent Kenya in international championships,” he said.
He added that he has improved from 11.9 in the 100m to 11.2 after reaching regional championships at the school games.
After winning both the national and East Africa 100m hurdles, Atsenga said that she has achieved her dreams after joining the Mumias facility.
“Through this camp, I managed to win both the nationals and East Africa titles. Coaches have played a critical role. However, we may lack training kits like spikes and uniform and if we get them, trust us, we shall perform very well,” said Atsenga.