This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
December 22, 2019, marked a significant milestone in Kenya's athletics history as the World Under-20 Championships camps in Narok's Emurua Dikirr and Kisumu's Sang'oro presented a unique opportunity for young athletes to hone their skills.
At the Emurua Dikirr camp, Africa Under-20 javelin champion Ita Nao's team boasted an impressive 17 girls out of 36 athletes, a testament to the growing interest in athletics among Maasai girls.
"This is inspiring since only one girl attended a similar camp when Kenya hosted the 2017 World Under-18 Championships," Nao said, highlighting the progress made in promoting girls' participation in athletics.
Among the talented girls at the Narok camp were Sintei Musei and Naiperiai Kiok, who have achieved impressive times in their respective events. Coach James ole Seur, who oversees the Emurua Dikirr camp, acknowledged the challenges faced by Maasai women in sports, including lack of support and early marriage.
"Those who come up fade away quickly owing to lack of support and early marriage," Ole Seur said, emphasizing the need for sustained support to nurture young athletes.
