Juma calls for more youth camps to help local sports grow

Coach Gerald Juma has called on National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) to consider organising more youth training camps as he says the impact has been tremendously felt in various sports. 

Juma was part of the training team that took youngsters through a ten-day rigorous program in Kajiado, organised by NOC-K. 

The renowned handball coach is confident that the handball team will do well in this year's assignments thanks to the training. 

"Last year we had the girls' team and this year we had the boys in camp. It has been such a good program so much so that there is a distinct difference between those who have gone through such camps and those who have not.

My only wish is to have more of these frequently. If we could have one every school holiday the impact would be felt much quicker. That said, I am confident of good results from these players for the national team in two to three years," Juma offers. 

This year, the tactician says handball focused on training youngsters who are at a competitive age as opposed to developmental players who are 12 years and youngers.

With a busy year ahead on the continental and international front, Juma says the players will be ready for action.

Eliud Kipchoge’s marathon world record ratified

 "We will use a majority of the players who have undergone this training for national team assignments. We have Zone Five championships for girls in April as well as the Africa Youth Championships, seg for the same month in Congo, Brazzaville. 

We are hoping to also perform exceptionally on the continental front for a chance to feature at this year's Youth Commonwealth Games set for Trinidad and Tobago.

The camp has gotten our preparations for such assignments off to a good start and we hope to build on that when the time comes," Juma added. 

NOC-K is set to officially close the camp that had 200 youths from 22 Federations being hosted for the Elite Youth Development Program geared towards preparations for a busy 2023 season, on Wednesday 18 January. 

The youth camps are designed not only for technical training but also for life skills. Education sessions are also scheduled in the program including Olympic Values, media training and team building. 

The Elite Performance Commission also ensures the camp has expertise in sports science.