Children from Nairobi schools lead a colourful march-past at the World U20 Trials at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi. Photo by Sportcast Africa.Young Faces Steal the Show at Nyayo Stadium
Before Kenya’s fastest junior athletes exploded off the starting blocks at Nyayo National Stadium, another group had already captured the attention of the crowd — smiling schoolchildren waving flags, marching proudly around the track and stepping into the world of athletics for the very first time.
At the ongoing World Athletics U20 Championships Kenya Trials in Nyayo National Stadium, Athletics Kenya transformed the national championships into more than a competition for Team Kenya places.
The federation used the event to inspire children and expose them to athletics through colorful and engaging activities that blended sport, fun and learning.
Children Join Opening Ceremony Activities
Children from Nairobi schools, including Raila Odinga Education Centre, participated in the opening ceremony march-past, adding excitement and youthful energy to the championships.
Dressed in school uniforms and sports kits, the pupils proudly paraded around the stadium track as athletes, officials and fans cheered them on.
For many of the children, it was their first experience inside a major athletics stadium and their closest interaction yet with elite competition.
Throughout the day, the children watched races from the stands, interacted with athletes and experienced the atmosphere surrounding Kenya’s junior athletics showcase.
Kids’ Athletics Momentum Growing Across Kenya
The initiative forms part of the wider World Athletics Kids’ Athletics campaign celebrated throughout May.
Kenya has become one of the leading countries in promoting Kids’ Athletics activities, with creative activations taking place in schools and communities across the country. National celebrations this year were staged in Kituro, Baringo County, while activities have continued beyond the official May 7 celebration date.
The momentum has also spread into community cross-country competitions, where dedicated kids’ runs are increasingly becoming part of athletics events.
These activities have drawn participation from children, parents and elderly community members, turning athletics into a family-centered activity that promotes fitness, unity and grassroots talent development.
Athletics Kenya Targets Future Champions
At Nyayo Stadium, the children watched closely as Kenya’s best junior athletes battled for qualification places to represent the country on the global stage. For many of the youngsters, the experience offered a rare opportunity to witness elite athletics up close while nurturing their own dreams in the sport.
Barnaba Korir, the Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director, said involving children in major athletics events is critical in building the future of the sport and identifying talent at an early age.
“Kids play an integral role in athletics and any other sport. The children engage in the sport committedly and with passion and this needs to be captured at that tender age,” said Korir.
Korir noted that Athletics Kenya is using major championships and community activities to continuously expose children to athletics and encourage active participation from a young age.
“As a federation, we are still going on with the May World Athletics Kids’ Day celebrations backed by continuous Kids’ Athletics activations through the month of May,” he added.
The continued activations, according to Korir, are helping expose more children to athletics through schools, community runs and major competitions such as the ongoing U20 trials.
As the junior athletes chased their dreams on the track, many of the children in the stadium were quietly beginning journeys of their own — inspired by the belief that one day, they too could compete on the same stage.
