THREE days after scooping the SOYA community hero award, Paul Bitok has gone ahead to launch a Sports Academy in his Simat village in Uasin Gishu County.

The Paul Bitok Sports Academy launched yesterday is meant to tap the athletic and volleyball talent in the region and groom it to international standards.

Situated at Simat Primary, the academy is targeted at everyone from the primary to University level. The academy which is being sponsored by Unicef and Nairobi Sports House already has 40 students 30 for boys and girls volleyball and 10 for athletics

"The academy will identify athletes and volleyball talent and we will monitor and provide support through secondary and college," Bitok said.

Bitok said the objective is to empower the community through sports and the academy will also be tasked with the search for scholarships for trainees at local and international schools.

"We will be looking for scholarships for these students at universities, club and even training abroad in conjuction with our partners," Bitok added.

Bitok already has an international volleyball tournament running and at the launch of his academy, national team volleyball player Mercy Moim among many guests was in attendance.