NAIROBI, Kenya, May 6, 2025 – Athletics Kenya (AK) has lauded the World Athletics Kids Programme for helping children identify their sporting talents at an early age, as the country joins the global celebration of Kids’ Athletics Day 2025 under the theme “Relay Around the World.”
Barnaba Korir, Youth Committee Chairman at Athletics Kenya, the programme is tapping athletics talents at an early age.
“Kids’ Athletics has become a national platform for unearthing talent, building communities, and teaching values such as teamwork, discipline, and environmental responsibility,” he said.
Indeed, one of the programme’s standout features in Kenya has been its strong emphasis on environmental conservation.
Each kids’ relay event has included a tree planting ceremony, blending sport with sustainability in a way that has resonated deeply with local communities.
Through these efforts, young participants are learning not only how to sprint or pass a baton, but also the importance of caring for the planet.
“We’re not just nurturing future champions on the track—we’re raising environmentally conscious citizens. This unique blend of sport and sustainability is something we believe should be adopted widely,” Korir said.
He was speaking during this year’s nationwide campaign, which culminated on Tuesday with major events in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The campaign has seen more than 15,000 children across Kenya participate in fun, inclusive athletics activities designed to introduce them to the sport while laying the foundation for long-term talent development.
Since the global campaign’s launch on April 7, Athletics Kenya has organized over 20 activations across the country, from urban centers to remote villages.
Children have taken part in a variety of creative and high-energy activities including Formula 1 sprints, sack races, shuttle relays, tyre tunnel runs, hula hoop challenges, and rope skipping.
Educators have welcomed the programme’s inclusive and playful approach.
“Normally, athletics events focus on older or elite competitors while children are left out. This programme allows our youngest learners to engage in sports in a fun and educational way,” Mark Lelei, Headteacher at Cheirot Primary School in Nandi County, noted
As one of the world’s most successful athletics nations, Kenya’s involvement in this global movement reflects its ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
By embracing both athletic and environmental education, the federation is reinforcing the role of sport as a powerful tool for societal transformation.
The programme is part of a global campaign by World Athletics, which aims to unite children through sport and culminate in a record-breaking kids’ relay in Guangzhou, China later this year.
Kenya’s enthusiastic participation not only affirms its athletic legacy, but also signals a progressive future where sport and sustainability go hand in hand.
