Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has launched the first-ever athletes' training camp in Isiolo County under the Talanta Hela Program.
The camp, which is at Kinna Primary School, Garbatula Sub-County, is the first-ever talent development center in the northern belt of Kenya.
Speaking on Tuesday during the launch, he said the roll out is part of the Ministry of Sports' greater initiative to nurture athletics from the grassroots.
The CS reiterated the ministry's commitment to offering financial support to the camp and pledging to develop stadium infrastructure within the region.
Further, he called on the area athletes to punch equal to their weight, adding that they have a potential to match their opponents.
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“If you look at the genetic make-up of the Oromos of Ethiopia and here in Isiolo it is one and the same. If you hear names like Haile Gebrselassie in Ethiopia it means that the next Selassie can come from Isiolo. Determination is the key,” said Namwamba.
“We will uplift this camp and we will make sure we develop the stadium infrastructure, we will make sure the athletes have proper clothing for games and finally we will support the athletes financially.”
Additionally, the CS called for integration of other sports in the region as he urged the residents to embrace other sports like football.
“Most importantly, as we do this launch I would like us to give attention to other sports as well such as football.”
The Isiolo camp is the second camp project under the Talanta Hela Program after Chepkemel in Uasin Gishu County with Athletics Kenya, in a joint venture with the Ministry of Sports, seeking to have more than 42 camps countrywide.
