Yego Hails Kip Keino Classic as Cradle for Future Champions

 

Julius Yego during Kipkeino Classic press conference in Nairobi.

2015 world champion Julius Yego has hailed this year’s Kip Keino Classic as a cradle for future champions, saying the inclusion of a kids’ athletics marks a major step in inspiring the next generation of athletes.

“Kids’ competition will be one of the events, which is a plus for this year’s event. Sports is about all the generations, both active and upcoming. That is the essence of the sport to inspire the next generation of sportspeople,” said Yego, emphasizing the importance of inclusive sporting platforms that bridge age and experience.

For the first time in the history of the prestigious continental tour meet, children will compete in a dedicated program alongside global athletic stars a strategic shift aimed at nurturing young talent while celebrating elite performance.

AK Youth Development Director Mr. Barnaba Korir said the move will give the children “firsthand experience of competing in a world-class event, sharing the same stage as their heroes,” and sparking dreams of future glory.

Kenya this month  stamped its authority on the global athletics stage, this time through  young stars! In the recently concluded Kids Athletics Relay Around the World challenge organized by World Athletics, Kenyan children dazzled the world with their talent, energy, and teamwork.

Over the course of a month-long relay filled with exciting activities, kids showcased exceptional skill  outshining participants from across the globe. Their outstanding performance saw Kenya crowned winners of the global challenge , a proud moment that reflects the depth of  grassroots athletics development.

As preparations intensify, the 2025 Kip Keino Classic is shaping up not just as a spectacle of elite athleticism, but as a launchpad for the stars of tomorrow.

Kenya's Victory in the World Athletics Kids' Athletics Day Relay Around the World Challenge: A Heartfelt Thank You

 

On behalf of Athletics Kenya, we extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to our victory in the World Athletics Kids' Athletics Day Member Federation Relay Around the World Challenge. This achievement highlights the incredible teamwork and commitment of our young athletes, coaches, schools, parents, and partners.

Our success in this global initiative reflects the unity of our community and the promising future of athletics in Kenya. We are inspired by the energy and dedication of our children and remain focused on guiding their development as future champions.

Thank you for your strong support and belief in our mission. Together, we continue to shape the next generation of Kenyan athletic stars.

Kenya wins Kids' Athletics Day Member Federation Relay Around the World Challenge

 

Athletics Kenya has been selected as the winning Member Federation of the Kids’ Athletics Day challenge after contributing almost a quarter of the participants in the ‘Relay Around the World’.

Around the globe, more than 600,000 children across all six continental areas participated in over 1200 activations to promote Kids’ Athletics Day – a global day dedicated to celebrating children and young people being active by participating in athletics.  

This year’s theme, Relay Around the World, was inspired by the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, taking place this weekend. The challenge, which ran from 6 April to Kids’ Athletics Day on 7 May, was the biggest, most inclusive Kids’ Athletics participation activity yet – with a target of 500,000 kids participating across the world – and was designed to inspire the athletes of tomorrow and get kids everywhere moving.

Read More story HERE by World Athletics

Kenya Celebrates World Kids Athletics Day with Vibrant National Events

 

Kids Athletics Day celebration in Makueni County

Kenya joined the global athletics community in celebrating World Kids Athletics Day on May 7, 2025, with colorful and high-energy events held across the country, headlined by national celebrations in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties. Themed “Relay Around the World,” this year’s edition marked the culmination of a month-long series of activities designed to introduce children to athletics while promoting environmental stewardship.

The celebration was spearheaded by Athletics Kenya (AK) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, with hundreds of schools countrywide participating. Children took part in fun athletic competitions including sprints, relays, jumps, and throws. A unique and meaningful highlight was the tree planting initiative at each event, symbolizing AK’s commitment to building a sustainable environment for future athletes.

“Our goal is to instill a love for athletics in children from an early age while teaching them the importance of protecting their sporting environment,” said Barnaba Korir, AK’s Youth Development Director. “We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from the kids, and we’re excited about the future. These are the future stars of Kenya, and it all starts with programs like this.”

In Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet, the national events drew widespread participation from local leaders, parents, and teachers, who expressed overwhelming support for integrating Kids Athletics more formally into school programs. Many parents and school administrators have called for the initiative to be permanently included in school sports calendars.

Recognizing this groundswell of support, AK announced plans to expand the program and incorporate Kids Athletics into national competitions, ensuring consistent growth pathways for young talent across the country.

Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, President of Athletics Kenya, reaffirmed the federation’s long-term commitment to youth development. “Kenya’s legacy in athletics is built on nurturing talent from the grassroots. By introducing children to structured athletics programs early, we’re not only identifying future champions but also shaping responsible, healthy citizens,” he said. “We thank the Ministry of Education, our coaches, and all stakeholders who helped make this day a success.”

As the curtain fell on this year’s World Kids Athletics Day celebrations, Kenya’s vibrant youth participation and the widespread community support clearly demonstrated the country’s dedication to building a strong and sustainable future in athletics.

PICTORIALS

Athletics Kenya Integrates Kids Athletics into 2025 Kip Keino Classic to Inspire Next Generation

 

Kids competing in shuttle relays at Unoa Primary in Machakos County

Athletics Kenya has announced that Kids Athletics will be featured as part of this year’s edition of the Kip Keino Classic, a prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event hosted in Nairobi. 

This exciting inclusion is part of a broader initiative to promote grassroots engagement in athletics by offering children the opportunity to be part of a world-class sporting experience.

The participating children have been actively involved in a month-long global relay challenge, organized under the auspices of World Athletics and implemented by member federations. This initiative, inspired by the World Athletics Relays taking place this month in Quanzhou, China, aims to set a record for the largest kids’ relay event worldwide.

Through its Youth Development Department, Athletics Kenya has been running a vibrant Kids Athletics program that introduces the fundamentals of track and field to young athletes from an early age. By incorporating this initiative into a high-profile event like the Kip Keino Classic, the federation seeks to provide young athletes with a unique opportunity to engage with and be inspired by elite competitors.

This integration not only motivates the children by allowing them to interact with their role models but also promotes a deeper appreciation for the sport. It serves as a vital stepping stone in nurturing future champions and ensuring the sustained growth and popularity of athletics across generations.

Read More HERE

Kids Athletics Nakuru Edition 2025

 

The Nakuru edition of Kids Athletics, a program under Athletics Kenya aimed at introducing children to sports at an early age and shaping them into future champions, saw a fantastic turnout as young athletes eagerly participated in a variety of exciting events.

 The children competed in disciplines such as Shuttle Relay, Javelin, Compass Cross, Rope Skipping, Mo Farah Wheel Relay, Formula 1, Endurance Hurdle Relay, and Forward Squat Jump. 

The event not only promoted physical fitness but also highlighted the program’s goal of nurturing talent and promoting sportsmanship from a young age.

IN PICTURES:Kid's Athletics Mombasa Edition 2025

 The event featured a variety of engaging activities, including Formula 1 sprints, sack races, shuttle relays, forward squat jumps, tyre tunnel runs, tyre rolling, and rope skipping.

Children from across the country participated in the program, with representation from the Rift Valley, Nyanza, Western, Eastern, Central, and Coast regions.

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