Fridah Ndinda, the rising Kenyan athlete and recent Tujiamini Gold Award winner, continues to make a name as an up-an-comer on the international stage. Ndinda recently competed in the prestigious Absa RUN YOUR CITY TSHWANE 10K race in South Africa, securing an impressive 5th place finish with a time of 33:46.
Ndinda's performance was particularly noteworthy as she emerged as the fastest Kenyan in the race, outpacing her compatriot Millicent Nyaberi who finished 9th. The race was won by South African running sensation Glenrose Xaba, a 12-time national champion, who dominated the field with a blazing time of 31:51.
This strong showing comes on the heels of Ndinda's triumph in the Tujiamini by SportPesa Initiative, where she became the first female to win the Gold Award. The KSh 500,000 prize money from this achievement proved instrumental in supporting Ndinda's international aspirations. She was able to use the funds to purchase her flight to South Africa and adequately prepare for the race, demonstrating the tangible impact of the Tujiamini program on nurturing Kenyan talent.
Tujiamini and DBA Africa director Storm Trentham, expressed her pride in Fridahs performance: "Fridah continues to show remarkable progress. Competing against a world-class field and finishing as the top Kenyan is a significant milestone in her career."
This result builds on Ndinda's previous success in South Africa, where she made history as the first Kenyan female to finish second in the 10km Gqeberha marathon in 2023. Her consistent performances on the international stage are bringing her closer to her dreams of competing in the Diamond League and potentially representing Kenya at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Tujiamini Initiative, powered by SportPesa Kenya, continues to play a vital role in Ndinda's journey. By providing not just financial support, but also essential training gear and mentorship, the program is helping to bridge the gap between grassroots talent and world-class competition.
As Ndinda sets her sights on upcoming races, including the 10KM Nairobi City (Xpressway) Marathon in July 2024, her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across Kenya. Her story exemplifies the potential within the country's youth and the importance of initiatives like Tujiamini in unlocking that potential.
Ndinda's journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim continues to unfold, and the running world will be watching closely as this determined athlete strives to reach new heights in her promising career.