Africa champion Diana Wanza on how Athletics Kenya can develop talent locally

Africa 10,000m champion Diana Wanza has challenged Athletics Kenya to invest more in student-athletes, arguing that a lack of support in universities is hindering talent development and weakening competition at the grassroots level.

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Wanza, who won gold at last month's Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana, believes many talented athletes are unable to maximise their potential because they lack scholarships, financial backing, and structured development programs while in school.

"The level of competition in Kenyan universities is not as high as it should be. From my first to my fourth year, I remained unbeaten and went on to become an African champion. That clearly shows there is a gap," Wanza said.

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"The talent is there, but many student-athletes lack the support they need to develop and compete at a higher level,” she continued.

The Kenyatta University graduate was speaking after securing qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. She finished second in the women's 10,000m at the Athletics Kenya trials held at the Nyayo Stadium, clocking 31:56.80 behind Loise Chemnung, who won in 31:46.90.

Wanza will now team up with Miriam Chebet in the women's 10,000m as Kenya seeks to reclaim a Commonwealth Games title it last won in 2014 through Joyce Chepkirui in Glasgow.

According to Wanza, the gap between university athletics and elite competition becomes evident whenever students compete against established professionals.

"When student-athletes come to events such as the Athletics Kenya trials, they find themselves competing against seasoned professionals, world record holders, Olympic champions, and other elite athletes.

That makes it extremely challenging for them to match the level of competition," she explained.

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Her comments are informed by her own journey through the university ranks. While studying at Kenyatta University, Wanza dominated the local collegiate scene and remained unbeaten throughout her four years.

In 2022, she won gold in the women's 5,000m at the All Africa University Games in Nairobi, clocking 17:07.44 to underline her status as one of the country's brightest prospects.

Despite her success, Wanza says the support system available to student-athletes remains inadequate compared to what is offered abroad.

"I would like to urge Athletics Kenya to invest more in student-athletes. Many talented athletes are leaving for the United States because of the opportunities and scholarships available there.

If similar support systems and scholarships were available in Kenya, our student-athletes would thrive and perform even better," she said.

Wanza's athletics career began in primary school but took shape at Ngoleni High School after she joined the institution in 2017. The school's commitment to athletics helped her discover her potential in distance running.

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However, her transition to university presented new challenges as athletics did not receive the same level of support she had enjoyed in high school.

Even after graduating in 2023, she had to convince those closest to her that athletics was a viable career path. Her mother, Elizabeth Kanyole, initially opposed her decision to join a training camp in Ngong in 2024, believing her university degree offered a more secure future.

Wanza's achievements over the past year, culminating in continental gold in Ghana, have vindicated her decision to pursue athletics professionally.

Now, the focus shifts to Glasgow, where she hopes to help Kenya end a 12-year wait for the women's 10,000m Commonwealth Games title.

For a country that has dominated distance running on the global stage through the Olympics and World Championships, Wanza believes that the drought has lasted long enough.