By Robert Kibet
KAPSABET, Nandi County – Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth Development Director and National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) First Vice President, Barnaba Korir, has reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing young athletes by blending sports with education and providing them with essential training facilities.
Speaking during a visit to the Kapsisiywa Under-20 holiday camp in Kapsabet, Nandi County, Korir praised the programme’s impact on junior athletes and pledged sustained support to ensure their growth on and off the track.
“I am happy to see how this programme is changing the lives of young and talented juniors who have already reported for the holiday camp,” Korir said. “We must encourage these young runners to balance education and athletics. My goal is to make sure that those talented in their events have a chance to further their education, even outside the country.”
Korir noted that many young runners face challenges accessing even the most basic sports gear. “I am working to ensure that these athletes get basic training facilities such as proper training shoes,” he said. “Small things like this make a big difference in their performance and confidence.”
The Kapsisiywa camp, managed by Coach Daniel Bor, is one of several Under-20 holiday training centres across the country established by Athletics Kenya’s Youth Development Department. Located in Kapsisiywa village — a place that has produced some of the world’s greatest runners, including marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, his coach Patrick Sang, double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, and 3000m steeplechase sensation Faith Cherotich — the camp benefits from a rich athletics heritage that continues to inspire the next generation.
Coach Bor welcomed Korir’s commitments, saying they will inspire both the athletes and the coaching team. “We are grateful for Mr. Korir’s promise to set up a transition camp, provide training kits, and create opportunities for some of these athletes to secure scholarships abroad to pursue both their education and running careers,” Bor said. “This kind of support gives our juniors a clear path to success.”
Looking to the future, Korir revealed plans for a permanent transition camp targeting athletes who have completed high school and reached the age of 20. “We are weighing the possibility of having a permanent transition camp where athletes can continue training with access to the right facilities and support services,” he said. “This would bridge the gap between junior and senior athletics.”
Korir emphasised that the Under-20 holiday camps will remain a key pillar in Athletics Kenya’s development strategy. “These camps are here to stay. Athletics Kenya, through the Ministry of Sports, will continue to support them so that we maintain Kenya’s reign as a global athletics powerhouse,” he said.
For the young athletes in Kapsisiywa, the visit was more than ceremonial — it was a signal that the nation’s sports leadership is invested in their future, both as runners and as well-rounded individuals ready to succeed beyond the track.
