Athletics Kenya will set up over 40 youth training camps as part of the preparations for the 2024 World Under-20 Athletics Championships set for Lima, Peru.
AK Youth Development Committee chairman, Barnaba Korir said the youth camps will be spread across the country with the new 19 of them new.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu, Korir said the purpose of the camps is to identify talents in the country. “Among the notable camps that have emerged are Chepkemel, Kapsisiwo, and Budalangi.
"Our aim is to offer equal opportunities across the country as we continue to nurture talent as we focus on the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru in August next year.
"This is also in line with the Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba's Talanta Hela initiative,” said Korir. He said once the national examination is over, they will roll out the camps in readiness for the Peru event.
"We have sent letters to every camp that has already been identified so that once the examinations are over, we start training immediately."
He said Budalangi has produced a javelin thrower, who did well during the Africa Under-20 Championships in Lusaka, and a sprinter.
Caroline Anyango from Budalangi won bronze in the javelin during the African Under-20 Championships while Silfa Adhiambo Opondo with Jackline Nguyo, Sharon Moraa Kayaga, and Daisy Chepngetich won bronze in the medley relay.
Korir said this time around they will take care of every part of the country and ensure there are camps in every corner including Mombasa.
“We have given a chance to every region in the country to have a camp and give a chance to the talent at the lowest level. We want to reach every corner of this country so that we give a chance to every athlete in the athletics circles,” he said.
Korir assured that the camps will be open for a minimum of one month before settling for the top performers, who will continue in April next year before the national trials.
