.jpg)
L. MathekaJepkosgei confident World Athletics training will impact ART team positively
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 28.12.22. | 08:55
The trainees are aware of the influence this programme will have on future Under-20 and senior team results
World Athletics, in collaboration with the Area Athletics Development Centre (AADC) based in Nairobi, last week, boosted its refugee programme by sponsoring and hosting Level 1 coaching practical training for key refugee camp support staff working in the North Western region of Kenya.
The focus was on the Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya, which are mainly comprised of refugees from South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda.
One of the trainees, 2007 world 800m champion Janeth Jepkosgei who has been credited with the rise of the current crop of sprinters and 800m runners who participated in the 2021 and 2022 world Under-20 championships says the training is timely.
"The experience and skills gained will go a long way. Coupled with the long period in my career, I am confident this training will continue to sharpen and positively impact the upcoming Athlete Refugee Team (ART) athletes, physically, mentally and psychologically," Jepkosgei told World Athletics.
The five-day practical programme focused on jumps, sprints, relays, throws, race walk and Kids’ Athletics, and included a visit to the Complete Sports Training Camp in Kaptagat. The group also assisted in a training session of elite Kenyan athletes at Kipchoge Stadium.
The last day was dedicated to assessment of various skills and coaching practice. It was a life-changing experience for the group and proved the benefit of a blended approach, combining online learning with practical sessions.
“Education and sport change lives,” said U20 refugee team project lead Barbara Moser-Mercer. “This course has set the coaching bar high and the skills and professional competencies we acquired will translate into life-changing experiences for refugee athletes. It will contribute to sustainable quality athletics programing in refugee contexts, linking these to the world of athletics in their hosting country, Kenya.”
AADC Nairobi Director Ibrahim Hussein expressed gratitude to World Athletics for giving Kenya the opportunity to be part of the programme.
"AADC Nairobi appreciates the fact that most of the participants who enrolled in the course were from our region and included former top athletes who are playing their part in assisting the programme," Hussein offered.
Throughout the year, a group of six , successfully completed the first phase of the World Athletics eLearning modules.
The second phase was organised in the picturesque Lobo Village in Eldoret and was conducted by Samuel Litaba of Kenyatta University, a certified World Athletics Coaches Education and Certification System Level I and II lecturer.
