The County Government of Uasin Gishu purposes to establish training and performance centres in its rich and deliberate plan to nurture sports talent.
The County is fast-tracking the completion of Chagaiya High Altitude Training Centre as a breeding ground for talent. The devolved unit is already rolling out several programs that are aimed at growing sports talent – one of the pillars in Governor Jonathan Bii’s 10 point agendas.
Speaking while opening the Complete Sports Training Centre in Cheptigit village, Ainabkoi Sub-County on Sunday, Governor Bii said his government puts critical attention on sports.
The Governor said his administration is keen on establishment of training centres as a way to boost sports development and assist the youth to earn from their abilities.
Athletics Kenya President, Lt Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, said training centres are fodder that feed into sports development in Kenya. Complete Sports Training Camp is a project co-owned by retired 800m runner, Japheth Kimutai and his German friend.
Gen Tuwei also emphasized on athletes giving back to the society by establishing and running programs and projects that support the community, not only limited to sports.
County Executive for Sports, Eng Lucy Ng’endo said her department is also working on a proposal on establishment of another training Centre in Kapseret, to actualize the Governor’s dream of talent development and youth empowerment.
Complete Sports Camp chair, Bishop Luka Maiyo, said: “Every dream has a destiny and one without interpretation is as good as nothing, thinking about something and not actualizing it is vain so this project is a manifestation of dream and God’s will.”
“With God as the leader of this camp, we shall be free from bad vices as doping and our children will generally be anchored and surrounded by spiritualism,” added Bishop Maiyo.
The camp’s director, Kimutai said: “We decided to anchor this camp in the word of God because we would like to bring up a change in how athletics is managed in Kenya.”
Retired athletes Hussein Kipkemboi, Patrick Sang, Janeth Jepkosgei, Daniel Komen, Benjamin Limo, Alfred Kirwa Yego, Leah Malot, Luke Kipkosgei, Tecla Chemabwai Sang– all who trail blazed and shaped Kenyan athletics, were among those who were in attendance.
