Friends School Kamusinga is laying the groundwork for the next generation of sprinters, with the institution's administration determined to build on the legacy of its celebrated alumnus Ferdinand Omanyala.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsOmanyala, an alumnus of the Bungoma-based school, has gone on to become Africa’s fastest man and one of Kenya’s most accomplished sprinters. His rise has inspired Kamusinga to strengthen its athletics programme and create a pathway for more young athletes to follow in his footsteps.The Kenyan sprinter made history by winning the 100m gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, becoming the first Kenyan in 60 years to win the men’s 100m title at the Games. ##NAJAVA_MECA_994821##He was also crowned African champion in the 100m in 2022 and has dominated the Kenyan national championships.Omanyala holds the African 100m record of 9.77 seconds, set in Nairobi in September 2021, as well as the African and Kenyan 150m record of 14.70 seconds and the Kenyan 60m record of 6.51 seconds.He also served as Kenya’s flag bearer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where he reached the 100m semi-finals.Sawe sets sight on another world record following return from injuryNow, Kamusinga Principal Paul Weloba wants the school to become a breeding ground for more sprinters capable of making an impact on the national, continental and global stage.At the heart of the plan is the development of better sporting infrastructure.“We are planning to put up an auditorium. We currently have a hall here that encroaches on the track, and I was just sharing with Omanyala that the hall is no longer adequate because it is too small. If we bring it down, I am sure we can put up a better track. That will give us room to strengthen our sprinting club, and I believe going forward, Friends School Kamusinga is the school to watch,” Weloba said.The proposed improvements are part of a broader vision to give talent development greater prominence alongside academics.Eliud Kipchoge named Dakar 2026 ambassador as he prepares to mentor young athletesWeloba believes the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) provides an opportunity for schools to identify and nurture abilities beyond the classroom, with sports forming an important part of that journey.“We are not relenting on this. Watch this space. With CBC, competence is all around. It is not just about academics; it is also about identifying, nurturing, and pursuing talent. We want to create an environment where our students can develop their abilities and realize their full potential,” he averred.The school’s plans extend beyond athletics.10 lessons Kenyan athletes can learn from Ingebrigtsen’s success formulaKamusinga is also looking to improve its rugby facilities by levelling the playing surface and planting grass to create a safer and more suitable pitch for students.“We also want to improve the rugby pitch. We will level the ground with soil and plant grass so that we can have a good playing surface. At the moment, there are patches without grass, which makes it difficult for the students, especially during the rainy season. We are working on that because we want to provide our students with facilities that allow them to develop their talent safely and effectively,” he concluded.They have also roped in talented rugby tactician Shimenga Libondo to help the school’s rugby team; Spartans reach higher levels.
9