The Ministry of Sports has begun the process of certifying a nationwide network of sports talent academies through its pioneer initiative – Talanta Hela – designed to empower young athletes while securing their future.
Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba introduced the Talanta Hela comprehensive plan at Transcend Talent Academy in Cherangany Constituency, noting that it will have three tiers (school-based, community-based and stadium-based) and will operate under the Kenya Academy of Sports.
“I laud Transcend Talent Academy for being the first certified school-based talent centre in Kenya, and its dual focus on academic excellence and athletic prowess,” Namwamba said.
Transcend Talent Academy, founded by Wesley Korir – a Boston Marathon Winnerin 2012, formalized its commitment to nurturing young athletes by collaborating with the Kenya Sports Academy.
The partnership will introduce various sporting disciplines beyond athletics, including broadening opportunities for aspiring talents.
Namwamba revealed that the government is funding a task force, chaired by Korir, which will collaborate with various organizations to eradicate doping and commit to a zero-tolerance policy.
With an annual budget of Ksh700 million allocated to the task force for the next five years, the government aims to seal all doping loopholes.
Korir stressed the need for Kenyans to shift from passive spectators to being active supporters so as to provide a conducive environment for athletes to excel.
Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Lillian Siyoi said that nurturing grassroots sports talents while ensuring their livelihoods will enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in global sports.
She noted that Talanta Hela will allow young talents to reap benefits during training while preventing them from abandoning their dreams due to financial constraints as well.
By Osborne Benn
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