Special Olympics is looking to increase its reach to the grassroots in a quest to nurture sports talent.
Special Olympics' sports manager Vincent Mungai said they want to partner with organizations with an aim of reaching out to the hidden talent.
“Going forward, we want to focus on the grassroots. We have been partnering with the Ministry of Education, Health and Unicef and we want to take Special Olympics to the next level. We want to bring our efforts together and make sure this happens,” he said, adding that the sports federations in the country have been a major source of their help.
Mungai strongly believes sport is an enabler of so many other things and reaching talent at the grassroots will enable participants to express themselves and acquire new skills as they interact. He said they also get a chance to represent the country internationally.
“I tend to believe that such activities give people a chance to showcase their talent. Through such, they express themselves without their cognitive ability being tested. This kind of platform also enables them to acquire skills and express themselves freely,” he said.
The national games were held to select a team to represent the country at next year’s Summer Games in Berlin, Germany. The event started in June at the county level and proceeded to the regionals before concluding with the nationals last weekend.
Team selected:
Athletics: Irene Ngina and Daniel Mutuku ( 800m and 1500m races), - Purity Kandie, Willis Odhiambo (50m race and standing long jump); Badminton: Jed Maina, Eflon Kingóri (men); Linah Mumbua, Lyne Wendo ( women); Bocce: Eugene Ochieng, Vanessa Wanjiru; Cycling Kennedy Tama, David Ngángá; Angela Nyambura, Mercy Mutuku Women); Football women: Fransiscar Nthenya, Mukii Mutuku, Nthambi Mutua, Doris Kyalo, Margaret Ndinda, Jamey Musyoka, Marystella Ndolwa, Florence Omachi, Santa Lozi; Basketball mixed: George Gichuru, Kimathi Batha, Victor Lijembe, Rueben Ongwae, Lucy Kamau; Conventional volleyball women- Faith Chepkirui, Sharon Chepkosgei, Joy Cherono, Beatrice Chepngéno: Men: Fadhil Kurwa, John Namjeni, Amani Mbura, Islam Kazungu, Daniel Kesi; Handball men: Marvin Otieno, Hope Mwangi, Eric Otieno, Haward Masha, Alex Bala, Francis Kiragu, Josky Bonyo, Patrick Ndugu, Felix Nyariki, Dennis Bulilo, Vincent Onyango, Oscar Olulo; Golf women: Lynette Gitimu, Abigail Njuguna: Beach Volleyball women: Diana Chepchumba, Maurine Mwangi, Bevaline Cheptoo, Purity Cheptanui and Sheila Cheptanui.
