State urged to support talented children early for a brighter future -

State urged to support talented children early for a brighter future

The government has been urged to provide strong support and closely monitor children’s talents from an early age to prevent their gifts from going to waste, as such talents have the potential to shape their future and bring pride to the nation.

Speaking in Ruiru during the launch of the Royal Stars Volleyball Academy which currently trains 25 children professionally in the sport, education experts and community leaders said that nurturing talent from a young age can help players grow into stars and secure a brighter future.

Ms Hellen Gichuru, founder of the Royal Stars Volleyball Academy said the new facility aims to train children aged between seven to 16 years until they can play professionally and gain opportunities to join established clubs across the country and abroad.

‘‘We have launched this academy because we want to grow the talent of volleyball in children. Nowadays, sports in not just an extra-curricular activity in schools, but a career that can put food on the table. The new Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) is good for sports since it is encouraging children to follow their own talents,’ she added.

CBC was introduced in Kenya in 2017 to replace the 8-4-4 system. It emphasizes skills, capabilities and holistic development over rote learning and is structured around a 2-6-3-3-3-year educational framework that focuses on practical skills, values, and real-world applications rather than just rote learning.

Gichuru decried the lack of sports training facilities for children, gyms and playing grounds especially in towns and peri-urban areas like Ruiru. ‘‘These children are here for training because of the support from well-wishers,’’ she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Dr. Vincent Gaitho, the Council Chair of Mount Kenya University (MKU), who stressed the importance of embracing children’s talents. He warned that without proper support, children risk losing focus and turning to drug abuse.

Dr Gaitho said the government gave lots of moral and financial support to Harambee stars during the recent Kenya is set to co-host the African Nations Championships (CHAN) held in Kenya in August 2025 alongside Uganda and Tanzania. ‘It is good that the State is putting in place systems that encourage sports, and this is to be encouraging, ‘’ he said.

Dr Gaitho urged the government to extend similar support to volleyball as it does to football and athletics, noting that the sport has the potential to generate income and elevate both individual players and the nation as a whole. ‘‘The government should not discriminate but support all children and the youth in all kid’s sports, not just concentrating on football,’’ he noted.

He added that the creative industry holds great promise for youth employment and can transform them into entrepreneurs within the creative and sports sectors.

On her part, Emily Warutere, a community leader, noted that while there is abundant talent at the grassroots level, many individuals miss out on opportunities due to a lack of guidance and mentorship to help them achieve their goals. She asked the government to nurture sports from an early age in all counties.

Warutere said that internationally, academic institutions and colleges such as Harvard University in the USA award talented athletes and sportspeople scholarships, an idea which can be borrowed by local institutions of higher learning, county and the national governments.

She challenged local leaders and politicians to support talented youth by providing training spaces and sports equipment to help nurture their abilities. She asked well- wishers, community leaders and county governments to organise and participate in rewarding children who excel in non-academic activities such as sports, music and drama.

Ms Warutere also appealed to parents to encourage and motivate their children to pursue their talents, emphasizing that such engagement can instill discipline and keep them away from negative influences.

The stakeholders emphasized that volleyball is not just a game but a profession that can support players and help them earn a living. They however urged the government to support talented children from an early age by offering scholarships, noting that this would inspire them to work harder while also easing the financial burden on their families.

With the launch of the academy, they expressed optimism that such platforms will transform the lives of young people by offering them purpose, direction, and opportunities away from the dangers that threaten their future.

During the event, the MKU College of Health Sciences supported the participating children by offering free medical checkups and health awareness sessions.

The young participants could not hide their excitement as they received new uniforms, branded with their names, from the Royal Stars Academy, a gesture meant to motivate and encourage them to continue their training.

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