St. Francis Kimuron Boys High School is set to host the sixth edition of its Open Tournament from May 16 to 17.
The event is part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, with particular focus on the Arts and Sports Science pathway.
The two-day tournament, to be held in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, is expected to bring together learners from various schools to participate in a range of sporting disciplines under a structured experiential learning programme designed to nurture talent, enhance competencies, and expose students to competitive sports environments.
Organisers say the event is aimed at strengthening sports talent identification, learner development, and competency enhancement among students pursuing sports-oriented career pathways under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The institution, which has built a strong reputation as a centre of sports excellence within the county, continues to position itself as a strategic hub for nurturing athletic talent and promoting co-curricular development among learners.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, teacher and sports coach Moses Biwott said the event had been carefully structured to align with the objectives of CBE by enhancing practical competencies, technical skills, and learner specialisation within the Arts and Sports Science pathway.
“The Open Tournament is specifically intended to reinforce the implementation of the Arts and Sports Science pathway by providing learners with structured opportunities for talent development, competitive exposure, and skills advancement,” said Biwott.
He noted that the school had already completed logistical and technical preparations to ensure successful execution of the competition, adding that the institution remains committed to supporting holistic learner development through integrated sports programmes.
According to Biwott, the tournament is expected to provide learners with opportunities to sharpen their sporting skills while also developing discipline, teamwork, and leadership abilities that are central to the competency-based learning approach.
“Our core objective is to ensure that learners pursuing this pathway acquire the necessary competencies, visibility, and performance standards that can enable them to excel both academically and professionally within the sports sector,” he added.
The coach said the school believes sports should no longer be viewed merely as co-curricular activities but as viable career pathways capable of opening economic and professional opportunities for learners.
Athletics coach Boniface Limo said the sixth edition of the tournament has expanded its scope by incorporating cross-country competitions as an additional discipline aimed at broadening participation and strengthening talent identification.
“Unlike previous editions, we have included cross-country events to ensure inclusivity and maximise athlete development across diverse sporting disciplines,” said Limo.
He explained that the inclusion of cross-country running is expected to strengthen endurance training, improve athlete conditioning, and support early identification of long-distance running talent, particularly in a county internationally recognised for producing elite athletes.
Limo noted that the expanded programme would also help learners gain exposure to competitive sports environments while allowing coaches and trainers to assess athletes’ strengths and areas requiring improvement.
“This region has consistently produced world-class athletes, and we believe such tournaments provide an important foundation for identifying and nurturing future champions at an early stage,” he said.
Education stakeholders have continued to emphasise the importance of integrating co-curricular activities within CBE, arguing that structured sports programmes contribute significantly to competency acquisition, psychomotor development, leadership skills, teamwork, and career progression among learners.
Under the CBC framework, the Arts and Sports Science pathway seeks to equip learners with specialised practical skills and competencies that can support future careers in sports, athletics, recreation, fitness, and related industries.
Biwott further said the tournament is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration among participating schools and provide a platform for benchmarking sporting standards and talent development programmes.
“The competition will not only improve learner competencies but also help schools exchange ideas on sports management, athlete development, and preparation for higher-level competitions,” he said.
He added that the event will expose learners to structured sports development systems in preparation for regional and national competitions while also providing talent scouts and coaches with an opportunity to identify promising athletes who can be nurtured into professional sports careers.
School administrators and sports officials expressed optimism that the tournament will further strengthen the implementation of competency-based learning by linking classroom instruction with practical talent development opportunities.
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The institution has over the years continued to invest heavily in sports development programmes, producing talented athletes and maintaining strong performances in both regional and national competitions.
Education stakeholders now hope the continued expansion of such tournaments will play a critical role in supporting the successful implementation of the Arts and Sports Science pathway while empowering learners to pursue sports as a professional career.
By Kimutai Langat
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