Tap schools talent

Given the quality of play at the national secondary school term one games at Mang’u High School in Thika, it is a pity there wasn’t more interest in the games from national tacticians.

The week-long championship, among the best organised ever, saw top boys’ and girls’ teams from the provinces battle it out for honours in such games as basketball, volleyball, hockey, seven-a-side rugby and cross-country running.

The indefatigable girls’ basketball queens, Mombasa High School, were conspicuous as they easily retained the national crown for the eighth year. Mang’u was the ideal place for national team coaches to scout for young talent.

However, save for the Kenya Basketball Federation Chairman, Paul Otula, who also coaches Maseno High School basketball team, other tacticians stayed away.

Coaches, including those at the Kenya Football Federation, who do not tap talent at the grassroots should be weeded out and replaced by people with the interest of sports at heart. The only way to raise the standards of local sports is to seek out and nurture talent at a young age.