This is expectedly a very exciting moment not only for me, but I suppose to all members of the sporting fraternity and specifically athletics. It is exciting because, through such forums we get that rare and humbling opportunity to share ideas, stimulate public debate and enrich dialogue on athletics. Today, I am glad to be accorded this space to enlighten you on the activities of Kipkeino High Performance Training Centre (KHPTC), an athletics-training outfit that I founded.It is also through this kind of forum that I can share with you the vision that we have for the continued growth of the KHPTC as well as the sport of athletics. The Kipkeino High Performance Training Centre, as explained in the mission statement, is a non-sectarian establishment set-up to help promote athletics as well as help potential athletes from the world over, to realize their talents and put them to use. The establishment of the facility was motivated by the need to have a permanent and regular source of motivation and skills for athletes. This is best supported by the fact that we are located in what is considered to be the world’s capital of athletics - the town of Eldoret, Kenya. Allow me to remind you that it is in this part of the world that you get one of the best and convenient altitudes for both track and marathon training. As stakeholders in athletics, we took advantage of this geographical endowment to provide training facilities and aids in order to get an increased number of people realizing their athletics potential. We pride ourselves for being the home and training ground for the International Olympics Committee (IOC) in Kenya since 1998 where these ideals formed the basis for the Kipkeino High Performance Training Centre . Through the support of Olympic solidarity, the IOC has been offering scholarships for athletes to train at the Centre. Another worthy partner has been the International Athletics Associations Federation (IAAF) has identified and supported exceptional World-class athletes from different parts of the world. The Centre has produced Olympic medallists, as well as, World record holders of which some of whom continue to train with us. The Center has been honored by different federations that have consistently sponsored their athletes to train with us, a privilege we have always considered to be a vote of confidence. Of importance is the cordial working relationship we continue to enjoy with the International Athletics Community providing technical support while the IOC has continued to sponsor dozens of athletes for training programs in our facility. As you are all aware, Kenya hosted the 2007 World Cross Country Championships and I have alongside members of KHPTC community dedicated a considerable amount of time and resources to design a programme to cater for those who would want to use our facilities to prepare for the championships. Looking to the future, it is important to place more emphasis on the need to have consistent and sustainable programmes that would see sports and especially athletics become a medium of social cohesion and co-existence. While continuing to invest in athletics, our focus should be on generations to come as opposed to short-term investment targeting events. This can only be realized by coming up with strong policies that would see the sport accorded a higher place in our diverse cultures. We now look forward, with the Kip Keino Foundation Inc., to continue with our mission of international sport and humanitarian aid. Best Regards DR.KIPCHOGE arapKEINO Founder KHPTC Chairman, National Olympic Committee, Kenya Council Member, International Olympic Committee. |
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