Kenya Sports Academy CEO praises efforts to develop skating as camp closes at St Georges

As the word goes “No pain no gain “ was actually a reality to young Given, 6, as learn the tricks in skating at the City Park recently. However he didn't know that Inline and roller sports skating activities require balance and strength as well as some judgment and the desire to avoid obstacles. As an upcoming star he however skid ,fell and came back to his feet again!. Photo/Stafford Ondego

A team of 27 skaters have completed a one-week residential training camp at the St. Georges Primary School in Nairobi.

The skaters, both juniors and seniors, have been in camp ahead of the Africa championships in Cairo, Egypt from October 25.

While gracing the closing ceremony, Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) acting Chief Executive Officer Gordon Oluoch praised the Skating federation’s effort to nurture talent in the sport recently introduced in Kenya.

“People are talking about the craze of skating in the country. Walking in the city you will see children learning to roller skate and hundreds of people gathered to watch action. It pleases to see how the sport is taking root in Kenya,” Oluoch said.

“Our mandate as Kenya Academy of Sports is to train the technical staff, who will in turn pass the skills to the juniors. We have written to the Sports Fund asking them to allocate more funds to the academies,” Oluoch said.

He added: “We are not only talking about skating but other sports like Rugby, Basketball, athletics to name a few. Kids are the backbone of sports in the country.”

Under the tutelage of Cameroonian Obi Enow, the national team skating coach, the skaters underwent rigorous training at St George’s School, something the former skater was impressed about.

“What I see here is passion and desire to learn, that is why working with young kids is such a pleasure. I’m certain the team will perform beyond expectation at the continental showpiece,” Enow who has been coaching Kenya team for a year said.

According to Douglas Ratemo, director of talent development at KAS, there are talks to have a speed-skating track with smooth surfaces and banked corners, the kind of track Kenya’s international competitors train on.

“The Nyayo National and Kasarani Sstadium have been earmarked. Our desire is to have a facility for skaters,” said Ratemo.