•He wants his fellow youth to abandon cattle rustling practice and focus on education and sports.
•Besides Pangai, other rising stars to watch are steeplechase athletes Diana Chepkemoi and Mercy Chemweno.
Image: HANDOUT
Tiaty Constituency in Baringo County is known for cattle rustling but Peter Pangai wants to change the narrative.
The Form Two student at the Sinonin Secondary is one of the rising stars expected to shine in this weekend’s International Schools Federation (ISF) World Cross Country Championships at the Ngong racecourse this Sunday.
Serving as the Under-18 boys’ captain, Pangai says he would like to transform Tiaty into a sporting hub. “I want to change the cattle rustling narrative and make the youth look at life differently. I want them to realise that sports unites and can transform an area,” he said.
He wants his fellow youth to abandon cattle rustling practice and focus on education and sports. He added: “I want to use sports to transform the area. I also want to win a gold medal during Sunday’s event to prove sports pay.”
He asked parents in Tiaty to take their children to school and help them discover their talents. “The faster Tiaty people realise there is life beyond rustling, the faster we will grow.”
Pangai started running 3,000m while in primary and later joined the Sinonin Training camp under Barnaba Kitilit to pursue his dream.
“I heard about the training camp in Baringo while in primary school and looked for Kitilit, who welcomed me. I have never looked back,” he said, adding that being captain comes with responsibilities.
Besides Pangai, other rising stars to watch are steeplechase athletes Diana Chepkemoi and Mercy Chemweno. “My speciality is 3,000m steeplechase and I want to do well in cross country and fly Kenya’s flag high. I thank God for giving me a chance to represent the country,” she said Chepkemoi, a Form 3 student at Saramek Secondary.
Chemweno joined the team following her exploits at the Rift Valley Secondary School Games at Kapsabet Boys, where she won the 3,000m steeplechase.
Her performance even saw Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba visit her home in Kipkelion, Kericho County.
“I am well prepared for the race and I hope to make a repeat of the Rift Valley Games,” she said. Others to watch are Kevin Kirpop and Nelson Simiren, who are keen to maintain their family tree in athletics.
Kiprop wants to follow in the footsteps of his father, Christopher Soget, and his elder brothers Justus Soget and Evans Kipkosgei.
“I like the training here in Ngong and I want to make my country proud,” said Kiprop.
He added: “I want to emulate my father who used to run 5000m. He has played a leading role in nurturing my talent,” he noted.
Team manager Koech Kirwa said the team is in high spirits and ready for the competition. “The team we have is good and we look forward to good performance,” he added.
Head coach Robert Ng’isirei believes they are favourites for the top position. “We have prepared well for the upcoming event and I am sure we will emerge top,” said Ng’isirei.
The coach said he is hoping for good weather on the day despite the recent heavy rains in the country. Kenya will be represented by 61 athletes—30 boys and 31 —in the Under-12 years, 15 and I8. Overall team captain Phanuel Koech, who will be competing in the U-18 category said he has improved a lot due to residential training.