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• Frank Rotich 2 days ago

‎‎Mvurya:Government will approve 40 more sports academies in 2026

The government plans to approve 40 more sports academies next year as it steps up efforts to identify and develop talent from the grassroots, Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has announced.

‎‎Speaking during a tour of the Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) talent camp at Hospital Hill High School, Mvurya said the new academies will add to the 37 already under construction across the country.

He noted that the move is aimed at strengthening talent development, promoting social integration and giving young athletes a clear path to success.

“The President has invested heavily in sports infrastructure across the country to help us identify and nurture talent from the ground up. We are already building 37 sports academies and we are in the process of approving 40 more in the coming year,” said Mvurya.

‎‎The Cabinet Secretary praised KAS for successfully running nationwide talent camps, saying the government will continue to support and expand the programme.

“I am very impressed and inspired by these talent camps. We want to make them bigger and better. Our goal is to design a clear pathway so that talent identified in schools and holiday camps can move to professional level,” he said.

Mvurya added that the government wants athletes to benefit financially from their talents and enjoy long-term stability.

“Kenya is known mainly for athletics, but we can be known for many other sports. We have great potential across different disciplines, and programmes like this will help us grow that talent,” he said.

‎‎He also highlighted improved government rewards as a major motivation for sportsmen and women. According to the CS, gold medal winners now earn Sh3 million, up from Sh750,000. Silver medal rewards have risen to Sh2 million, while bronze medalists now receiving Sh1 million.

‎‎Travel allowances for athletes have also been increased, with players now earning between $200 and $300 per day, up from the previous lower rates.

“Sports is no longer at the bottom when it comes to economic empowerment. Creative arts and sports have performed very well in recent assessments,” Mvurya said.

‎‎The CS called on sports federations to work closely with KAS to ensure talents identified in camps smoothly progress to national teams.

‎‎He added that the Ministry of Sports, together with the Ministry of Education, is developing a clear roadmap to guide talent development in the country.

‎“I assure you that we are working on a strong strategy to ensure no talent goes to waste,” he said.