- He said it’s time Kenya changed her mindset towards sporting activities in schools and embraced forward planning in order to stay ahead of the competition.
- He said part of the reason Kenya does not take sports seriously is because the country has never quantified the economic contribution of sports to the country.
Image: KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN/X
Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called for mainstreaming of sports into the school system for Kenya to retain her historic reputation as the home of great athletics talent.
Speaking during the National Olympic Sports Workshop in Sagana, the CS said sports has for long been considered an afterthought while some parents consider it a nuisance or distraction to learning.
He said it’s time Kenya changed her mindset towards sporting activities in schools and embraced forward planning in order to stay ahead of the competition.
“The problem with Kenya is that we have separated school from the organization of the sports. When I was growing up in the village, we would be told that ‘ukienda shule uwache mchezo’ [when you get to school, stop games],” he said.
The CS said the mantra that sports is an unserious activity has carried on into adulthood such that someone told him in jest that he was transferred to the Sports docket because ‘unapenda mchezo mingi’ (he is never serious).
“So sports is considered a by the way,” he said.
Murkomen said there needs to be a change in mindset for Kenya to unlock the full potential of its sporting talent.
He said part of the reason Kenya does not take sports seriously is because the country has never quantified the economic contribution of sports to the country.
“We take it for granted,” the CS said, adding that we must mainstream sports in the school system as early exposure and structured development will help nurture talented young people into world-class athletes.
“Schools are the most important institutions for us. It is a pity and extremely embarrassing that globally, universities are contributing to the best Olympians in the world in other countries and developed countries yet in our country we do not have one university representative who has won a gold medal,” Murkomen said.
“We still have that old mentality that we had when I was growing up that if you want to succeed in university wachana na mchezo. Let’s build a future where every young athlete can shine without sacrificing their education,” Murkomen said.
During the sports workshop, Murkomen congratulated Olympic champions Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet on their recognition by the American Academy of Achievement.
“The world has taken note of your super talents, your commitment to the sport and your positive impact on humanity. Onwards and forwards,” the CS said.
The workshop hosted by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya took stock of Kenya’s performance at the Paris Olympics and laid the groundwork for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Murkomen emphasised the need for Kenya to start early preparation terming it a key factor to the success of Team Kenya in any competition.
“We committed to expanding our disciplines and being more competitive through better support for athletes, improved coaching and tapping into the latest scientific practices in the field,” he said.
Murkomen noted that for the first time in history, Kenya qualified for Judo and Fencing in the Paris Olympics, a feat on which he said his ministry seeks to build on and do much better in the forthcoming competitions.
The CS, nonetheless, called on the federations to enhance accountability so as to perform better and attract more investment from the private sector.
“I assured them of my full support as they work to raise the standards of sports in our country,” Murkomen said on X.