Cherargei said the triumph by the Rising Lionesses in the women’s Rugby Sevens competition demonstrated the importance of identifying and nurturing young sporting talent through learning institutions.
In a statement to the Senate, the senator said schools should be given greater support to develop athletes capable of representing the country in international competitions.
He called for improved sporting facilities, qualified coaches and structured competitions to enable learners, particularly girls, to develop their abilities and pursue careers in sports.
The Rising Lionesses made history on November 3 after defeating Australia 17-12 in a dramatic final in Dakar, Senegal.
Mitchelle Chemtai scored the decisive try in extra time after Kenya recovered from a 12-5 deficit to force a 12-12 draw at the end of regular time.
Strengthening school sports
Cherargei praised the players for their resilience, discipline and teamwork, saying their achievement demonstrated the potential of Kenyan girls when given opportunities and proper preparation.
He also commended the technical bench led by head coach Knight Otuoma and other stakeholders who contributed to the team's success.
The senator said the victory should encourage education and sports authorities to strengthen talent development programmes in schools and establish clear pathways for young athletes to progress to national teams.
He further urged the Government to recognise and reward the players while ensuring sustained support for their welfare, training and participation in future international competitions.
warned against treating the gold medal as an isolated achievement, saying continued investment in women's sports would help create opportunities for more girls to excel beyond the classroom.
The victory marked Kenya's first Olympic gold medal in a team sport and the first time an African country had won Olympic or Youth Olympic Games rugby sevens gold.
Reader Discussion (0)
Sign in to comment