This archive report was first published on 18 November 2021.
On November 18, 2021, a consultative forum was held in Keringet, Nakuru, where athletics stakeholders urged Athletics Kenya to establish mentorship programmes involving retired and young athletes.
Such mentorship programmes, they said, would help keep the younger athletes on track with their goals and remain active for a long time.
Former Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion Richard Matelong emphasized the importance of young athletes listening to their seniors and being receptive to advice on matters related to sport and social welfare.
"We have good talent in this region, and we are happy that the federation has gone to the grassroots to seek opinions on how to improve the sport. Young athletes should be ready to listen to their seniors and always be disciplined for a good career," Matelong said.
Matelong also proposed that the federation continually check on upcoming athletes to address emerging issues affecting them.
"In the past, we have seen the federation holding seminars, which were only targeting a few people. This time around, they are visiting all the regions concentrated with athletes, which is the only way going forward to address emerging issues," he added.
Matelong commended the county government for building a training facility in the region and proposed a census of athletes who need help and the creation of a kitty to support them.
"We have athletes who are struggling to make ends meet, and the national government should come up with a plan on how they can support the upcoming athletes because they need food for them to train well. Going forward, we need to make sure the sport is given a budget for such issues," Matelong said.
Athletes also expressed concerns about accessing training facilities, with 90 percent of them unable to do so and having to train along roads.
Nickson Koech, a road runner in the county, highlighted the challenges faced by athletes in terms of transport and registration.
"We normally ask friends and relatives to help us with some cash so that we can travel to various regions for competitions. Sometimes it takes time to pay the borrowed cash, which becomes a problem for us," Koech said.
