MXGP Academy lays out plan to improve Kenyan riders

The MXGP Academy conducted its maiden 'training for trainers' in Kenya with the objective of building a strong foundation of riders as well as develop a system that will help them advance, across the country.

The MXGP Academy is a worldwide project started in 2015 in collaboration with the Motocross Training Club (MTC), the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), and the local FMNs national motorsport federations (FMNs) – including the Motorcycle Sports Federation of Kenya (MSFK).

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The aim of this program is to attract and retain talented motocross riders, through various educational programs, MX skills training and training camps. 

Martin van Genderen, one of the two instructors who conducted the training, revealed that Kenyan trainers were taught a different angle to look at the sport.

“If you look more at the past, we concentrate more on the technical part of the sport. We spent two days of the trainers workshop at the Federation office, to help the trainers learn different aspects for youngsters and also on the ethics side of the sport.

This is our first visit in Kenya but the objective is to develop a long-term program for young riders," van Genderen offered. 

The instructor further says the long term vision is to have more visits and work on the pyramid of success.

Julie Wahome, the chairman of the Sporting Commission for MSFK reiterated the instructors sentiments adding that the federation was committed to spreading the sport across the country.

Trainer and top MX1 category rider Apollo Mbuki is among those who attended the training and here's what he had to say; “It feels good to be part of this program. It opens up a lot of opportunities.

You can see a different way to work which is good. My aim is to reach out to a wider group of riders and teach them the right techniques so that we can have more riders and increase the competition." 

National team captain Githuku Mungai says it was a very exciting experience learning new concepts and a new training system.

“Introducing a new standardised system across the globe is good and now that we have this program, we will match our opponents from other countries in South Africa, Europe and America, For me I can say it was an eye opener," he concluded.

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