NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ministry of Sports has announced the discontinuation of the Talanta Hela national and regional tournaments, a move aimed at revamping how Kenya identifies and nurtures athletic talent.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed the decision on Wednesday during the launch of a multidisciplinary elite sports training camp for youth at Aga Khan High School in Nairobi.
Murkomen emphasized that large-scale tournaments, such as the Talanta Hela Under-19 competition, no longer align with the mandate of the Kenya Academy of Sports.
“Organizing such tournaments is not the role of the Kenya Academy of Sports,” Murkomen stated. “The academy will now focus on working with the existing school sports ecosystem to develop young talent in primary and secondary schools.”
He highlighted collaborations with the Kenya Primary Sports Association and the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association as key to this new strategy.
The shift signals a departure from the Talanta Hela program’s inaugural tournament, held last year under Murkomen’s predecessor, Ababu Namwamba.
That event was celebrated for its impact, including helping Kenya’s Junior Starlets secure the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance.
However, Murkomen stressed the need for a more sustainable talent pipeline.
“We want to establish clear pathways for every sportsperson, starting with primary and secondary schools. Universities and colleges can then take over, ensuring structured growth,” he added.
Murkomen also clarified that future national tournaments could still be organized, but their management would rest with sponsors, county governments, or sports federations rather than the Kenya Academy of Sports.
The decision aligns with a broader review of the Sports Act and Sports Policy, with an emphasis on nurturing grassroots talent.
The move has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some praising the focus on foundational talent development and others lamenting the loss of high-profile events like Talanta Hela, which spotlighted emerging athletes.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen revealed the decision on Wednesday during the launch of a multidisciplinary elite sports training camp for youth at Aga Khan High School in Nairobi.
Murkomen emphasized that large-scale tournaments, such as the Talanta Hela Under-19 competition, no longer align with the mandate of the Kenya Academy of Sports.
“Organizing such tournaments is not the role of the Kenya Academy of Sports,” Murkomen stated. “The academy will now focus on working with the existing school sports ecosystem to develop young talent in primary and secondary schools.”
He highlighted collaborations with the Kenya Primary Sports Association and the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association as key to this new strategy.
The shift signals a departure from the Talanta Hela program’s inaugural tournament, held last year under Murkomen’s predecessor, Ababu Namwamba.
That event was celebrated for its impact, including helping Kenya’s Junior Starlets secure the nation’s first FIFA World Cup appearance.
However, Murkomen stressed the need for a more sustainable talent pipeline.
“We want to establish clear pathways for every sportsperson, starting with primary and secondary schools. Universities and colleges can then take over, ensuring structured growth,” he added.
Murkomen also clarified that future national tournaments could still be organized, but their management would rest with sponsors, county governments, or sports federations rather than the Kenya Academy of Sports.
The decision aligns with a broader review of the Sports Act and Sports Policy, with an emphasis on nurturing grassroots talent.
The move has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some praising the focus on foundational talent development and others lamenting the loss of high-profile events like Talanta Hela, which spotlighted emerging athletes.
