Ngugi opens camp in Nyahururu to polish athletes

From left; Former olympian John Ngugi, Engineer Ali Khan and John Ngugi Foundation Director Marjory Kiman during launch of Nyahururu Peace Marathon fund drive at Laico Regency, Nairobi. [PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO]

Five-time world cross-country champion John Ngugi (left) has unveiled an ambitious talent development camp in his Nyahururu home turf.

Ngugi, who also is famed for 5,000m gold medal win at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, will brand the project John Ngugi Foundation Training Camp.

It will be built on a 10-acre land in Nyahururu, which requires Sh150 million to actualise the lifetime dream.

Speaking at the launch of the Nyahururu Peace Marathon at Laico Regency in Nairobi to kick start the project, Ngugi called on potential sponsors to support the project.

The camp will identify and nurture young sporting talent in the region, which has produced some of the world’s best distance running athletes that include former world 10,000m champion Charles Kamati and former Olympic marathon winner, the late Samuel Wanjiru.

“I started the John Ngugi Foundation in 2008, but my dream has always been to set up a training camp. I know I’m aging and I will be the happiest man if I can leave behind the camp running to help the youngsters” said Ngugi.

“The foundation’s main objectives will be to nurture talent, promote tourism through athletics and organise various racing competition in the country,” he added.

He said the foundation is looking for support from Government and corporate bodies.

“We have already acquired 10 acres of land in Nyahururu, what we are looking for are the sponsors to speed up the setting of this camp,” the Seoul Olympics gold medalist to FeverPitch after the launch on Thursday evening.

They also launched Nyahururu Peace Marathon will be an annual event with the inaugural being on August 30.