14 July 2008
editorial
Nairobi — The sterling performance by Kenya's team to the World Junior Athletics Championships in Poland and that of the Under-20 football and hockey teams in continental competitions have sent a strong message that the country needs to put more emphasis on youth sports development.
Kenya was the team to watch in Poland where they outshone perennial arch-rivals Ethiopia and proved that, after all, there is a brighter future for middle and long distance races in which Kenya used to excel.
The team did well where their seniors have found it difficult in the men's 10,000 metres by winning the gold and silver medals against strong opposition.
In Sudan, it was a painful end to the national Under-20 football team after they put up strong resistance before losing the lottery of a penalty shoot-out.
Kenya's youth hockey teams are also giving a good account of themselves at the Africa Under-21 championships that started in Cairo at the weekend.
It is these kinds of performances that bring some hope in the country's sporting future. It is also a challenge to the Government and various federations that this talent must be systematically nurtured to maturity.
Sports minister Helen Sambili said last week that the Government intends to set up youth academies. We cannot ask for more. This will be welcome as it will ensure talent is identified, tapped and nurtured.
But such a venture will require total commitment from all stakeholders that can begin by the establishment of youth leagues and giving the youth committees financial muscle to run solid programmes.
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