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• Frank Rotich 3 days ago

Over 3000 youngsters join National Sports Talent Camps across the country‎

Kenya has taken another bold step in nurturing future sports stars as the third edition of the National Sports Talent Camp gets underway this festive season, bringing together 3,550 talented boys and girls from across the country.

‎Organised through the Kenya Academy of Sports, the programme is being run by the State Department for Sports under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

This year’s camp is the biggest yet, spreading across seven regions — Nairobi, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, Wajir and the wider Central region.

‎The camps, which serve as breeding grounds for future champions, have attracted young athletes identified during the Primary and Secondary School Games.

Under the guidance of highly qualified coaches, the participants are undergoing intensive training in a wide range of disciplines including football, volleyball, rugby, basketball, athletics, hockey, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis and chess.

‎Inclusivity remains a key focus of the programme, with young athletes living with disabilities also taking part.

Specialised training is being offered in goalball, sitting volleyball and deaf basketball, ensuring that every gifted athlete has a chance to grow and shine.

‎Beyond sports skills, the camp is shaping all-rounded individuals. The young athletes are also receiving life skills training and financial literacy lessons to help prepare them for life as professional sportsmen and women.

‎Since its launch in 2023, the National Sports Talent Camp has recorded impressive growth. What started in one region has expanded to four regions in 2024 and now seven regions this year, underlining the government’s commitment to widening the talent development net.

‎The programme aims to build a strong pool of athletes who will not only strengthen local clubs but also attract regional and international opportunities, giving Kenya a competitive edge in continental and global competitions.

‎As the camps continue, the State Department for Sports says it will keep working closely with stakeholders to create the right environment for identifying, nurturing and developing sporting talent among Kenya’s young boys and girls, securing the country’s sporting future for years to come.