- The two beat the odds and emerged victorious in a game that attracted teams from the East Africa region.
- The unexpected performance exhibited by the two, earned their counties a gold medal and bronze.
Suleiman Galole and Mohamed Mohamud from Tana River and Mandera counties recently surprised many with exemplary performance at the recently concluded Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association contest.
The two beat the odds and emerged victorious in a game that attracted teams from the East Africa region.
The unexpected performance exhibited by the two, earned their counties a gold and bronze medal.
Galole floored a strong team of players to win a gold medal while Mohamud beat his rivals and earned a bronze medal in high jump during the secondary school games.
The two earned pride and praise which changed the perception of hundreds of spectators and officials.
The performance also brought to light the marginalised regions as areas endowed with youths whose potentials is unexploited.
The achievement of the duo who are appealing for help to nature their talents, is a testimony to the fact that the pastoralist child is endowed and that the neglected north posses a wealth of unexploited talents.
Galole, 14, from Handaraku Junior Secondary in Tana Delta of Tana River county, is a teenager with his sights set on conquering the athletic world with his exceptional skills and unwavering determination.
In an interview, Galole said, “We don't need sympathy or favours but exposure, proper techniques training and equipments.
"Sponsorship from the county government, corporate or sports agencies can definitely help me nature my talent. I have the potential to win gold for my country in the Olympic games,” Galole said.
The Grade 7 pupil from a family of eight, said high jump is a cultural practice commonly practiced as children herd family livestock.
“This game is not something new to us, every pastoralist child plays it where jumping over the thorny trees is a cherished game. To emerge victorious among our peers at the herding field depended on the height of the tree you jumped, and this is where I realised my talents in high jump,” he said.
His victory in a regional game started after winning position one in the county and Coast region and position three at the nationals to clinch a gold medal.
He appealed to well wishers to support him nature his talent and achieve his dream.
“I am humbly requesting well wishers to come on board and assist me realise my dream. I will appreciate any help. My parents are not only old but poor. They cannot do much to support me,” he said.
Yussuf Jilo Guyo, Handaraku Junior Secondary School headteacher, lauded Galole's performance.
“We all celebrated after the news came that Galole won a gold medal, the entire village celebrated and we gave him a hero's welcome,” he said.
The headteacher who is also the vice chairman for regional schools sports, said the competition was an opportunity for Galole to expose his talents in high jump with a record achievement of 1.65 metres.
He said school games were helping to showcase the hidden talents of many pastoralist children that end up unexploited.
He appealed to well wishers to help Galole achieve his dreams.
“This boy comes from a poor background but that has not deterred him. With the necessary support, he can go far,” he said.
Mohamud, the bronze medalist, has a similar story on how he natured his talent since childhood.
“During school holidays, jumping over the trees is a common practice and I attribute my success to this. My school teachers also helped as they identified my talent during the school competition,” he said.
He said winning the competition from subcounty level to county and national level continued to serve as his proudest moments and opportunity to excel further at the East African level.
“I come from a remote village of Waranqara in Lafey subcounty of Mandera, I never had the opportunity to travel beyond my village. I thank Allah for the exposure and success to win bronze medal for my country in Uganda,” he said.
He said the award inspired him and that he was determined to represent his country at the world athletic competitions if given the opportunity to train more.
Mohamud, said he was elated to witness how the Mandera county led by the Governor Mohamed Khalif celebrated his achievement with messages of congratulations on the social media.
He said his MP Mohamed Abdikheir and several other local leaders received him in Nairobi, all praising him for the achievement.
Flanked by his school headteacher Abdi Shukri, the 14-year-old Grade 6 learner appealed for support to achieve his dream.
“What is the essence of school competitions if our government and leaders cannot help us nature our talents, do they want to see us waste away in the villages?” he posed.
“Mohamud's mother, Halima Adan, is proud of her son's achievement. We will appreciate if he is accorded the necessary help to excel higher,” said the school headteacher.