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How 'Godfather of Kenyan Running' is empowering girls through athletics
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 11.01.25. | 16:17
Bro Colm was confident that girls could surpass all expectations and achieve greatness with the right training and opportunities
Bro Colm O’Connell, often hailed as the 'Godfather of Kenyan Running', is not just a legendary coach but also a beacon of hope for young girls in Kenya’s North Rift region.
One mission that is especially close to his heart is transforming the lives of Kenyan girls.
He passionately believes in the power of athletics to provide opportunities, build confidence, and inspire young women to dream beyond societal constraints.
Over the years, his mentorship has shaped the careers of celebrated athletes like Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat, Lorna Kiplagat, Linet Masai, Mary Keitany, Janeth Jepkosgei, Sally Barsosio, and Rose Cheruiyot, among others.
These women have not only excelled on the global stage but also inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps.
In 2021, figures from the Elgeyo Marakwet Health and Social Department showed that teenage pregnancies increased from 8.4 per cent seven years ago to 26.7 per cent after the outbreak of Covid-19.
The same applied to school dropouts. The then County Governor Alex Tolgos was worried that the trend undermined the achievements of girls’ education and health.
Such is the situation in not only the county but also other North Rift counties with an influx of female athletes.
Traditional societal norms and economic hardships can severely limit opportunities for girls, relegating them to roles that stifle their potential.
However, through his dedicated efforts, Bro Colm is continuously opening doors for many girls.
The tactician is fostering a generation of empowered women who can advocate for their rights and inspire their communities to value and support the aspirations of all their children, regardless of gender.
In an exclusive chat with Mozzart Sport, Bro Colm was confident that girls could surpass all expectations and achieve greatness with the right training and opportunities.
“Girls are very resilient. When they get opportunities, their potential is boundless. Every athlete is different, so you have to know your athletes differently and not use the same approach for them all.
I coached a girl called Sally Barsosio and I found her pretty tough. You could tell her anything. Women are almost more successful and resilient than men,” he said.
Bro Colm was however concerned that schools, the fundamental units of a child's growth, were not adequately playing their part in laying the foundations for talent development.
As a teacher himself, the gap in the education system troubles him as he understands that without a solid foundation, many promising talents, especially girls, could go unnoticed and undeveloped.
“Schools in recent years have not played their part in nurturing talent. They need to pull up their socks in what they can do in the world of nurturing talent and laying the foundation,” he started.
“We should emphasize so much in ensuring that the girls are known not just in sports, but in other activities. Last year, during Budapest, most medals came from our girls, not boys and that is something to be concerned about,” Bro continued.
Kenyan women are proving their mettle on the global stage, outshining their male counterparts in athletics. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team Kenya’s women secured seven medals compared to the men’s four, marking a historic shift since the country’s Olympic debut in 1964.
Stars like Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet led the charge. Kipyegon won gold in the 1,500 meters and silver in the 5,000 meters, while Chebet clinched gold in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.
Bro Colm emphasized the need to celebrate and support the success of female athletes.
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