Kenya’s sports development plea to Japan

Panelists (left to right): Nation Media Group’s editor (sports) Elias Makori, Yasunori Nakamura (director, Japan Information and Culture Centre), National Youth Service director general Richard Ndubai, former Commonwealth 10,000m champion Esther Wanjiru and Kenya Prisons volleyball coach David Lung’aho during the panel discussion on sports relations at the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi on June 22, 2017. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • Kenya on Thursday hailed the long-standing sports co-operation with Japan, with Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia proposing that this relationship be extended to infrastructure development.
  • In a speech read on his behalf by the Commissioner for Sports Maina Kamau during the Japan-Kenya policy workshop on sports at the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi, Kaberia also highlighted the several successes from this co-operation

Kenya on Thursday hailed the long-standing sports co-operation with Japan, with Kenya’s Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kaberia proposing that this relationship be extended to infrastructure development.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Commissioner for Sports Maina Kamau during the Japan-Kenya policy workshop on sports at the Embassy of Japan in Nairobi, Kaberia also highlighted the several successes from this co-operation

“Our athletes have immensely benefited from several sports programmes. Now my prayer is for these two countries to develop this relationship into other aspects such as coaches attachment, sports education, plus management and infrastructure development,” the PS said.

Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya Toshitsugu Uesawa noted his country had extended several technical assistance in the athletics, volleyball and Karate disciplines down the years, which include forwarding of coaches to exert modern skills.

“Japan will be hosting the Olympics in 2020, which provides a platform for a great contribution to peace and social interaction,” Uesawa added.

Legendary boxer Isaiah Ikhoni, volleyball star Janet Wanja, Evelyne Makuto and star athlete Isaac Macharia were some of the Kenyan sports stars who attended yesterday’s forum.

National Youth Service director general Richard Ndubai, a black belt holder in karate, was also present.