President William Ruto has congratulated Kenyan skater Kelvin Kiarie following his gold medal triumph at the African Skating Championship held in Cairo, Egypt.
In a message celebrating the achievement, the President lauded Kiarie’s determination and described the victory as a moment of national pride.
“Well done Kelvin Kiarie on winning gold at the African Skating Championship in Cairo, Egypt. This is a proud moment for you and for our nation,” said Ruto.
“You have conquered the continent and your journey is an inspiration to many aspiring sportsmen and women in Kenya and Africa. I am confident that your talent, drive, and competitive spirit will carry you further onto the global stage. Congratulations, and keep flying our flag high,” he added.
Kiarie’s victory marks a significant milestone for Kenya in a sport that is still developing locally but gaining traction across the continent. The 26-year-old, who is also a structural engineer, has emerged as one of the country’s most promising skating talents.
A graduate of Technical University of Kenya, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, Kiarie began inline skating during his first year at the institution. What started as a casual pursuit quickly evolved into a serious passion.
Despite limited support structures, Kiarie honed his skills largely through self-training, demonstrating resilience and discipline in a sport that lacks widespread institutional backing in Kenya.
His journey has been marked by persistence, often training without professional coaching or sponsorship.
His latest triumph in Cairo comes just weeks after another impressive performance at the International Skating Challenge in Cotonou, Cotonou, Benin, where he also excelled despite competing without support from the government or sponsors.
His situation sparked public concern and renewed calls for greater investment in emerging sports and athletes.
Speaking after his victory, Kiarie expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to representing Kenya on the global stage.
“This win is not just for me, but for every young Kenyan who dares to dream despite challenges. I hope it shows that with determination and hard work, anything is possible,” he said.
The African Skating Championship is a continental competition that brings together top skating talent from across Africa to compete in disciplines such as inline speed skating, freestyle, and slalom.
Hosted on a rotational basis in different countries, the championship serves as a platform to promote the sport and identify talent for international competitions.
Kiarie’s gold medal performance underscores the growing potential of Kenyan athletes in non-traditional sports and highlights the need for structured support systems to nurture such talent.
Sports stakeholders have now called on authorities and private sponsors to back athletes like Kiarie, whose achievements continue to put Kenya on the continental map in emerging sporting disciplines.
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