AK Northeastern targets future stars with bold primary school athletics plan

Athletics Kenya North Eastern branch treasurer Ahmed Abdi speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The Athletics Kenya North Eastern Branch has unveiled an ambitious grassroots initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing athletic talent from an early age.

Officials say the focus will be on primary school learners across the region—a significant shift in the area’s sports development strategy.

Speaking during the launch, Athletics Kenya North Eastern branch treasurer Ahmed Abdi said the programme seeks to address long-standing geographical challenges that have limited the emergence of elite athletes from North Eastern Kenya.

Residents of Garissa participating in the trails. The program is meant to identify and nurture athletic talent from an early age from Garissa and the larger Northeastern region. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Traditionally, high-altitude regions have dominated athletics due to their favourable training conditions. However, local officials now believe that early identification and structured development can help bridge that gap.

Abdi emphasised the importance of starting young, noting that the initiative is designed to identify promising athletes at the primary school level and guide them through a structured pathway, including potential placement in high-altitude training environments.

“We have decided to focus on kids’ athletics so that we can identify talent early and nurture it effectively. With proper development, we hope to produce future stars comparable to legends like Mo Farah and Omar Bile, who remain a great inspiration to our community,” said Abdi.

Athletics Kenya North Eastern Regional Chairman Abdullahi Salat speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

He added that beyond competition, athletics plays a vital role in social cohesion. By introducing sports at a young age, children not only develop their talents but also learn teamwork and discipline.

The long-term vision, he explained, is to create a seamless progression from primary to secondary school athletics, ensuring that talent is nurtured consistently rather than discovered too late.

Athletics Kenya North Eastern Regional Chairman Abdullahi Salat echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need to change the region’s sporting culture.

Residents of Garissa participating in the trails. The program is meant to identify and nurture athletic talent from an early age from Garissa and the larger Northeastern region. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

He observed that many young people in the area only engage in athletics after completing secondary school—a trend the new programme aims to reverse.

“We want children to start early so they grow up understanding the importance of athletics. That is why we have brought together about 500 pupils from various schools to participate and learn,” said Salat.

He further pointed to the relevance of sports under Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), where talent development is increasingly emphasised alongside academic achievement.

Residents of Garissa participating in the trails. The program is meant to identify and nurture athletic talent from an early age from Garissa and the larger Northeastern region. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

According to Salat, the initiative is not only about producing athletes but also about opening up opportunities in sports as a viable career path. He said sustained investment and community involvement will be key to unlocking the region’s untapped potential.

“Sports is a business. It creates employment and builds lives. We want our leaders and business community to see its value and support these young talents,” he added.

“From where I sit, I strongly believe that with renewed focus and commitment to a grassroots approach, our region will eventually be represented on national and international stages, firmly placing it on Kenya’s athletics map,” he added.

The branch plans to make the event an annual fixture, with aspirations of increasing its frequency depending on the level of support received.