• A group of 52 coaches applied for the North Rift Tujiamini Gold Award
• They made their application on behalf of over 5000 athletes based in Iten.
• They walked away with half a million to facilitate the buying of gym equipment's.
In his famous hit song, American rapper Kanye West once reminded the world one man can change the world. In that powerful and heartfelt song released back in 2015, Kanye speaks to the power of determination, resilience and the belief that one person can make a difference in whichever community they live in.
In Kenya, deep in the athletic stronghold of Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County, a group of 52 upcoming coaches heeded the message of that song in their quest of delivering change to their community consisting of budding, passionate athletes who desire to become champions one day.
Using the ongoing Tujiamini Initiative by leading online gaming firm SportPesa, the coaching unit got the starting point of their mission as they were crowned winners of the Tujiamini Gold Award that saw them receive a healthy Ksh500,000 in support of their dreams.
This is after Elkana Rutto – one of the coaches within that group – bagged the North Rift Tujiamini by SportPesa Gold award on behalf of the entire team who had requested facilitation in buying gym equipment to help with the athletes’ training and conditioning.
The award, which will benefit over 5,000 athletes, is set to facilitate the construction of a fully equipped gym that benefits both local and international athletes as well as residents in the area.
“In Iten, many athletes cannot afford privately-owned gyms which are few in the area but are also very expensive considering that the larger majority come from humble backgrounds.
The new facility aims to alleviate the financial burden for many athletes who currently lack management support,” remarked Coach Rutto.
Echoing the unanimity, athletes under Rutto expressed pleasure at the win reiterating how the noble display will go a long way in influencing their success.
“Getting access to a gym is the hardest bit in training and athletes are forced to improvise due to the high expenses. Getting easy access to a gym will now be ideal for long-term success,” said Ezekiel Sirma, a resident athlete.
His sentiments were backed by Rael Mithieka currently training for road races and marathons who iterated the importance of gym training and the lack of thereof in governing an athlete’s progress.
SportPesa Public Relations representative Deborah Chepkirui rehashed the objective of the Tujiamini initiative whose main focus is to grow talents at the grassroots. “Three regions down, Tujiamini continues to uplift talents as well as embrace the aspect of inclusivity in its applications thus everyone is encouraged to apply, men and women alike.”
Additionally, DBA Africa Director, Lyle Asiligwa, attributed the success of Tujiamini so far to the individual-based approach taken by the initiative whose success is evident through existing talents, ranging from the grassroots to the national team level.
Further amplifying the need for a united front, Lyle urged corporates to merge efforts towards the bigger intention of developing talents in the country noting that it takes a village to build champions.
As curtains fall on the Tujiamini initiative in the North Rift Region, organizers are intensifying efforts to encourage more women and people with disabilities to submit applications highlighting the anticipation for more inclusive and competitive opportunities in the remaining counties.
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke