NOCK, UON join hands to launch unique coaches' certificate course

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and the University of Nairobi’s Department of Physical Education and Sport on Tuesday 18 February launched a Certificate Course in Sports Coaching, aimed at transforming the country’s coaching landscape.

The program, hosted at the University’s Kikuyu Campus, marked a unique collaboration between the Olympic Committee and the University, and will see a strong cohort of 41 coaches gain valuable scientific knowledge and practical expertise.

The initiative is the first of its kind in Africa and seeks to offer structured learning in Olympic sports disciplines while equipping coaches with both theoretical foundations and practical applications.

“It is the first time we as the University of Nairobi are getting to interact with the industry, and we are very glad that will be able to impact the coaches, and we will be very proud to see them apply these lessons and even probably coach some of our teams to the Olympic Games,” Michael Otieno, a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi, said.

The course, which will run for six months, will be delivered by a blend of university lecturers and industry professionals, providing an enriching mix of academic rigor and real-world coaching insights.

Ongwae, Wamukota make Kenya Morans squad for FIBA Afrobasket Qualifiers

In its first semester, the curriculum will cover key areas such as Sports Pedagogy, Sports Psychology & Sociology, Sports Administration & Management, Biomechanics in Sports, and Functional Human Anatomy & Physiology.

The second semester will dive deeper into specialized topics, including First Aid and Sports Injury Management, Long-Term Athlete Development Pathway, Nutrition and Sports Performance, Principles of Coaching & Conditioning, and Sport-Specific Skills.

“We realize the coaches are very good at what they do, but when it comes to papers, they lack; therefore, we are very grateful to the university for accepting to collaborate with NOCK on this, and we believe that it will enable the coaches to now advance to the next level,” NOC-K treasurer Eliud Kariuki said.

NOC-K is providing 13 full scholarships in the program, which also aligns with its long-term vision of establishing a High-Performance Centre (HPC) at the University of Nairobi’s main campus.

Tinashe Gatimu fine-tunes preparations for third WRC Safari Rally

This facility is envisioned to become the training hub for Team Kenya ahead of major international competitions, while also serving as a rehabilitation Centre for athletes recovering from injuries.

Looking ahead, NOC-K aims to have the course certified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), further cementing Kenya’s commitment to global coaching standards