Organizers of the ongoing Kenya Primary School athletics events have called on County governments to invest in standardized fields and stadiums to tap budding talents.
Led by Rift Valley’s Kenya Primary School Sports Association Chair Edwin Kiptis, the organizers have regretted that many counties lacked basic sports amenities and standardized fields to host the events on rotational basis.
Kiptis, who spoke at Nyahururu stadium today during the Rift Valley Regional Athletics Championships, noted that hurdles, high jump and long jump facilities lacked noting that the organizers have had to transport some sports’ teams from Nakuru and Eldoret Counties for the event.
He said the standardization would help the counties to tap the talents that already existed among the learners, while affording business opportunities.
He lauded Laikipia County for maintaining Nyahururu stadium that was up to standard with measurements and facilities, regretting that only hurdles lacked for the two days’ event.
Kiptis exuded confidence that the Rift Valley team that would be drawn from 14 counties among them Turkana, Laikipia, Samburu, Nakuru, Bomet among others, would ably represent the region beyond the nationals slated for Meru County, early next week.
He noted that despite the short notice to prepare for the games, the primary school competitions were on a high gear, noting that the event was a jumpstart of the co curriculum activities after the Covid 19 pandemic.
Bernard Chemchoi, who represented Bomet County in the 400M, hoped to clinch the title at the nationals noting that he targeted future Under 20 trials for World Championship.
Among the athletes to watch are 3000M Boys: Kelvin Kemboi who clocked 8:5.5, Isack Barsambula (9:39) Brian Leneshe (10:22) and Sinyerere Primary School’s Brian Kimutai.
The 5000M girls saw Caren Chepng’eno clock 16:14, Dorothy Jerop (16:23) and Eileen Chepkoech of Kitoi Primary hit 16:55
