Teso north: Athletes from the Teso community have been urged to prioritize education alongside athletics in order to secure international athletics scholarship opportunities. Speaking during the Elalai Cross Country Championship in Teso North, Elalai Training Camp coach Charles Kamau emphasized the importance of meeting academic standards to access prestigious scholarships.

According to Kenya News Agency, Kamau highlighted that despite the athletes' success in the Elalai Cross Country Championship held on December 26, they missed out on four international scholarships due to not meeting the academic requirement of a minimum grade of C-Plain in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE). These scholarships, which could have been life-changing, were for Kingston College and Jamaica University.

Kamau explained that the community had been allocated four slots in the international athletics scholarships, with one slot designated for a girl and three for boys. In light of the missed opportunities, he stated that the focus is now shifting to identifying learners in schools who excel in both academics and middle- to long-distance running.

'I will only take runners who meet both running and academic requirements,' Kamau asserted, stressing the need for a balance between talent and education. He cautioned that many young athletes are neglecting academic discipline, which could hinder future opportunities.

Kamau also noted that while some institutions may prioritize running ability, education is a key requirement for most international scholarships. He mentioned that Japan University is an exception, prioritizing running ability but still requiring proficiency in the Japanese language.

He shared ongoing consultations with schools and expressed optimism that at least one boy might secure a scholarship by the end of January. 'Education will not end, but talent can end anytime. Learners who perform well academically stand a better chance of securing opportunities in universities abroad,' Kamau remarked.

The Kingston College programme began in September 2020, with Kamau having previously assisted a sixteen-year-old athlete, Ethan Githinji Gioko, in securing a full four-year scholarship at the college in Jamaica.