Two Kenyan athletes enrolled in support program for Winter Youth Olympics

• The program is run by the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation
• Two Kenyan athletes, based abroad, will benefit
• They hope to qualify for the senior Olympics

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) has announced its commitment to supporting Kenyan athletes in their pursuit of Winter Youth Olympic Games participation through the New Horizon Academy Programme.

This follows the announcement by the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation, established by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Gangwon province to launch the New Horizon Academy Programme.

This initiative aims to assist athletes from developing nations or nations that have not previously participated in the Winter Youth Olympic Games, providing them with training opportunities to pursue their dreams of competing in these prestigious sporting events.

As part of this program, the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation is organizing a 14-day training camp, scheduled to take place from July 5th to 18th, 2023, in South Korea. The camp will provide selected athletes with valuable training and support, equipping them with the necessary skills and experience to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

In previous Winter Olympic Games, Kenyan athletes such as 1998 Nagano Cross Country Skier Olympian Phillip Boit and the first Kenyan female Alpine Skier  Sabrina Wanjiku have served as a source of inspiration for many Kenyans worldwide.

“NOC-K firmly believes that the opportunity for Kenyan youngsters living in the diaspora to represent their motherland is a golden one and hence we are committed to providing opportunities for every Kenyan, regardless of their location, to pursue their sporting interests,” NOCK said in a statement.

Financially demanding sport 

Kenyan skiper Ashley Tshanda

It adds; “Despite our understanding that engaging in winter sports can be financially demanding, we are remain dedicated to supporting our athletes by providing logistical assistance to ensure they can seize every opportunity, with the goal to ensure that every Kenyan athlete has a chance to pursue their dreams and represent Kenya with pride.”

Two Kenyan athletes, Cross Country Skier Ashley Tshanda and Alpine skier Issa Laborde, have been recommended and accepted to participate in the New Horizon Academy Programme.

Ashley has shown exceptional talent and determination in cross-country skiing. Her dream is to represent Kenya and proudly raise her country’s flag at the Olympics and international ski competitions.

Ashley also aspires to become the first Kenyan female athlete to win a significant medal at the Olympics while promoting skiing in Kenya and inspiring young people through her achievements.

While supporting Sabrina at the 2023 World Skii Championships in February, NOC-K’s President Dr. Tergat met 16-year-old Issa, an aspiring alpine skier with immense potential. He said his goal is to participate in and represent Kenya in the Winter Olympic Games.

Issa with experience from academies 

Issa Laborde Team Kenya Alpine Skier

Issa has already garnered praise from ski academies and coaches for his talent, but limited training sessions have affected his performance compared to his peers. However, he remains determined to become a high-level athlete and contribute to the growing presence of Africans in winter sports, sharing his sporting culture and life experiences for the benefit of elite athletes in Kenya.

Both Ashley and Issa have excelled in national and international ski competitions. Ashley, currently studying at the ISIS “Ingeborg Bachmann” International Ski College in Tarvisio, Italy, undergoes intensive daily training as part of her secondary school education. She has achieved success in numerous local, regional, and national ski competitions in Italy.

Francis Mutuku, Secretary General of NOC-K, stated, ” We believe in providing opportunities for Kenyan youth to represent their country, wherever they may be in. Opportunities for training, such as the New Horizon Academy Programme, play a vital role in realizing the dreams of our young Winter sports enthusiasts.”