Youth sports camp to nurture talent underway at Kasarani

Harambee Stars Coach Adel Amrouche(R) and His assistant Jacob Mulee addresses the press at Kasarani on Tuesday 06/05/14. They play Inter Millan this Month.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

A sports camp to nurture talent is underway at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Former Harambee Stars and Tusker FC coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee is leading the pilot programme organised by the Kenya Academy of Sport. The camp started on December 2 and will come to close on December 19.

Seven sports disciplines are involved in the camp partly funded by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts.

The camp has attracted boys and girls aged 12-17 to take part in football, Basketball, karate, badminton, darts, skating and chess.

Mulee, a former Football Kenya Federation Technical Director, will team up with Gabriel Mutuku (Karate), Ann Njambi (Badminton), Joel Adanje (Skating), David Ngugi (Swimming) and Hinga Githinji (Chess) in the three week camp.

According to the National Youth Talent Academy Chief Executive Officer Douglas Ratemo, the programme will not only be used to keep the youngsters busy during the holidays, but also encourage them to take up sports as a career.

“This is a pilot programme by the Kenya Academy of Sports which was recently initiated through the new Sports Act. We want to replicate this across all the counties by working with governors,” said Ratemo.

Apart from being taken through sports training, participants will also be taught lifeskills by tutors from the Kenyatta University who are part of the organisers of the camp.

“The idea is to identify potential talent and nurture them through holiday camps. Ultimately, Kenya Academy of Sports intends to be the leading talent nurturing centre in this country.”

Ratemo further said that best footballers stand a chance to join the National Youth Talent Academy next year on completion of the training.

The government, through the Academy of Sports will also source for scholarships for those who excel during the talent development camps in future.