• ATHLETICS

• Frank Rotich 2 days ago

‎Boost for Kenyan sprinters as Omanyala Sprint Club takes off in Isinya

Kenyan sprinters have received a major boost following the launch of the Omanyala Sprint Club in Isinya, Kajiado County, a project aimed at nurturing young sprinting talent from the grassroots.

The club was officially launched on Wednesday at Merishaw School in Isinya, marking the first major initiative under the Omanyala Foundation.

The programme seeks to identify, train and mentor young sprinters, while offering them a clear pathway from school athletics to elite competition.

Merishaw School becomes the first beneficiary of the project, which is built on three key pillars, with sprint talent development at its core. The foundation believes that every talented athlete deserves equal opportunity and proper support to achieve their full potential.

Through the initiative, sprint clubs will be set up in schools, specialised coaches trained, and young athletes exposed to professional mentorship.

A major highlight of the project is that the students at Merishaw School will be trained and mentored by Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, giving them rare access to elite-level guidance.

Merishaw School Games Master Kipkirui Sang said the partnership with Omanyala was inspired by his success and global reputation.

“We partnered with Omanyala because he is a brand associated with success both locally and internationally. He will be a great mentor to our students,” Sang said.

Omanyala is expected to begin working with the school next term, starting with internal trials to identify students with sprinting potential.

The Omanyala Foundation will then deploy a team of coaches to work alongside local trainers to ensure proper development of the athletes.

According to Sang, the programme is designed to answer a critical question many young athletes face after finishing school.

“This is about asking, what’s next after school? Many students have talent but lack exposure and opportunities. This programme will help bridge that gap,” he said.

In the future, Merishaw School plans to open its facilities to other sprinters during school holidays, hosting talent identification camps and possibly international competitions.

Speaking during the launch, Omanyala said the initiative was driven by his desire to secure the future of Kenyan sprinting.

“I don’t want to leave a gap when I’m done competing. We want to make sure more sprinters come up for future championships,” Omanyala said.

He added that the club will help recruit and guide young athletes, giving them a clear and structured pathway to successful sprinting careers.

The launch of the Omanyala Sprint Club marks a new chapter for Kenyan sprinting, offering hope and opportunity to the next generation of speedsters.