Five students from Elgeyo Marakwet will represent the country in athletics in the coming Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) to be held in Rwanda from 17th, to 27th, this month.
The five are from St. Francis Kimuron, Mokwo girls, Koindabilet, and St. Alphonsus Mitei secondary schools.
Speaking when flagging them off the five, Elgeyo Marakwet deputy governor Prof. Grace Cheserek appealed to the national government through the Ministry of Education to be sponsoring a teacher or coach whenever there are such games outside the country.
The DG said it was unfortunate that the students travel without their teachers or coaches who have put a lot of effort in preparing them something she said may affect their performance.
“It is important for either the teacher or coach to accompany his/her students especially because they are going to a foreign land where they may feel lonely thus affecting their performance,” the DG said.
Prof. Cheserek also called on stakeholders who own training camps to nurture upcoming athletes by taking a few and training them, especially when schools close.
She regretted that most talented students are not able to reach their potential since they do not have anywhere to train when schools close or once they are out of school.
She also called on companies to partner with the county in supporting youthful athletes by sponsoring and in turn they will help them in advertising the companies.
The DG advised parents to support their children’s talents saying they can offer them an income instead of relying on the search for white-collar jobs.
She expressed optimism that the students will emulate their counterparts who have won in various races internationally by bagging gold medals for the country.
Noting that the county is an athletic powerhouse, the CEC sports Purity Koima said the county has started athletics clubs in various schools adding that she was hopeful all schools will follow suit to ensure the county continues producing great athletes.
The FEASSSA games are aimed at fostering unity among students in the East African region and also enabling students to familiarize themselves with other countries and their cultures through sports.
Schools from host nations Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Zanzibar will gather in the country to compete in various sporting disciplines namely football, swimming, athletics, hockey, netball, rugby, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton and lawn tennis.
By Alice Wanjiru and Jebet Saina
