BOOST FOR OLYMPIANS: op coaches jet in for 10-day pentathlon coaching

Carol Hays

Coral Hays  and Ledama Masidza, who were the first Kenyans to compete in the World championships biathlon/triathlon in Georgia last September, will receive specialised training in the hope of qualifying for the Rio Olympics.

Two top modern pentathlon coaches jet in the country today to conduct a series of coaching sessions that will attract mainly students and young talent. They will be at the Hillrest International School.

The modern pentathlon is an Olympic sport that includes swimming, shooting, running and horse riding. One of the coaches, Ahmed Amer of Egypt competed as a junior becoming national champion in 1991,1993, 1994,1995 and 1996 and senior national champion in 1998 and 1999.

He also competed internationally from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, Ahmed retired to further his career as a coach. Ahmed is currently head coach of the Egyptian national Youth B girls. He is a qualified licensed international judge of the modern pentathlon competition. He has trained Aya Medany (World junior champion 2009) among many other big names in the sport.

Mohamed Eid has been an active member of the Egyptian modern pentathlon team since 2005, and is head coach of the El Gezira modern pentathlon club. Hillcrest will be hosting the coaches for 10 days. They will be working with students from Year Seven and above during games. There will be training tomorrow and after-school on most days.

Hays and Masidza placed seventh out of nine competitors in the 2015 Biathlon/Triathlon World Championships in Georgia. 

“We are so grateful for the UIPM (world governing body) and Hillcrest for all their generous support and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership in developing the modern pentathlon in Kenya. Together with Hillcrest, we are scouting talent, and are in discussions with other schools as it is our vision to create nationwide opportunity for talented athletes capable of representing Kenya at international events to qualify for the 2020 Olympics,” said Carol Hays of the Modern Pentathlon Federation of Kenya (MPFK).

The MPFK has supplied fencing equipment, laser pistols and targets for the camp, and thereafter for future modern pentathlon club use. Any student can join the sport... all they need are games kits including a long pair of socks.

Kenyatta University will be sending 10 students with the hope they will be interested in becoming modern pentathlon coaches. MPFK hopes to support a training programme for aspiring coaches in the sport.