Thirty-four students were picked for the Pepea athletics scholarship programme after entertaining finals at Tambach Teachers Training College on Sunday.
Another 23 athletes could make the cut to the United States of America (USA) once their timings are ratified.
The athletes, drawn from the county, participated in 800, 3000, and 5000 metres to attain qualifying times in both men’s and women’s categories. This is part of Governor Wisley Rotich’s student uplift programme, which he has promised to implement to give local youth opportunities to study and work abroad.
Already, 48 students have benefited from the programme and are already enrolled in schools in the USA, Canada, and Australia. This could see the numbers double if those who attained qualifying marks and the ones on the provisional list are considered.
“This is an opportunity for deserving athletes. I would like to congratulate those who qualified on Sunday. Those who didn’t meet the mark should continue training because another opportunity will arise in April,” said Governor Rotich.
Student uplift
Betty Kipkore, one of the athletes, thanked Governor Rotich for coming up with the idea of student uplift, which will now see him fly to the USA for studies.
“It has been my dream to shine in athletics, but the thought of going through a scholarship has never crossed my mind,” she said.
According to Wilson Chepkwony, who is one of the coaches leading the selection exercise, the students will be placed in different universities and colleges in the USA depending on their academic qualifications, age, and time posted.
“It will be a full scholarship. No one will pay anything. I challenge all those with good grades and can be able to run to train harder. There are opportunities in the US,” he said.
More than 240 athletes participated in the exercise.
