Kenyan school reveals reason for partnering with Omanyala to develop sprint talents

Kenyan sprinting has received a major boost with the launch of the Omanyala Sprint Club, unveiled on Wednesday, 17 December, at Merishaw School in Isinya, Kajiado County.

The initiative represents a significant step in nurturing the next generation of sprinters under the Omanyala Foundation.

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Merishaw School is the first institution to benefit from the program, which is founded on three key pillars, with sprint talent development at its core. The foundation operates on the principle that every young sprinter deserves a structured pathway to reach their full potential.

Through the sprint club initiative, the foundation seeks to identify, nurture, and mentor young athletes, offering a clear pathway from school-level athletics to elite competition.

This will be achieved through the establishment of sprint clubs in schools, specialised coaches training, and access to professional mentorship.

A key highlight of the Merishaw project is the involvement of Ferdinand Omanyala, Africa’s fastest man, who will personally mentor and train the students.

This offers a rare opportunity for young athletes to learn directly from one of the continent’s top sprinters through structured, professional coaching.

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Merishaw School Games Master, Kipkirui Sang, explained that the decision to partner with Omanyala was inspired by his global success and reputation.

“We decided to partner with Omanyala because he is a brand. He is recognised nationally and internationally, and we associate him with success. He will be a mentor to our students,” Sang said.

He added that Omanyala will begin working with the school next term, starting with internal trials to identify students with sprinting potential.

"We will conduct trials starting next term for students within our school. After identifying those capable of joining the sprint club, the coaches will come in to guide their development,” Sang explained.

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The Omanyala Foundation will deploy a team of coaches to work alongside local trainers, ensuring proper guidance and growth for the identified talents.

“After a certain period, depending on how competitive the athletes prove to be, we will give them exposure. This is about answering the question: What’s next after school?” Sang added.

He noted that many students struggle after completing Grade 12 despite having talent. The program aims to bridge that gap, creating opportunities for scholarships, exposure, and career progression through athletics.

“For now, we are starting with our students, but in the future, we will open the program to other sprinters during the holidays. We have the facilities to host talent identification camps and even international competitions,” he said.

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Ferdinand Omanyala emphasised that the initiative is part of his vision to secure the future of Kenyan sprinting and ensure continuity beyond his competitive career.

“We have launched this sprint club at Merishaw School, the first beneficiary of the Omanyala Foundation. We are doing this to ensure more sprinters come through for future championships,” Omanyala said.

“I do not want to leave a gap. The essence of this sprint club is to recruit as many sprinters as we can and provide a clear pathway for their careers going forward,” he added.

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