Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi has urged Kenyan athletes participating in emerging sports disciplines to formally register with the Sports Registrar’s office and relevant federations. The move, he said, is aimed at improving professionalism, strengthening athlete identity, and ensuring better career development pathways.
Speaking during a meeting at Talanta Plaza where he hosted rising skating star Kelvin Kiarie, the PS emphasized that registration is key to safeguarding athletes’ interests—especially in situations where sports federations are facing internal challenges or are not fully compliant. He noted that formal registration would help ensure athletes are properly recognized in their respective disciplines and protected under structured governance systems.
It is important for young sportsmen and women to register with federations as well as the Sports Registrar to have them recognized as distinct athletes in specific disciplines. This will accord them identity and credibility especially when the federations are wrangling or are non-compliant
Elijah MwangiIn recognition of his impressive international achievements, the government, through the National Awarding Scheme, has honoured Kiarie for his outstanding performances on the global stage. Kiarie has quickly risen to prominence in Kenya’s skating scene after delivering strong performances internationally. He secured a gold and silver medal at a competition in Benin before going on to win two gold medals at the Africa Skate Games in Egypt.
Following his success, Kiarie has earned qualification for the World Skate Games scheduled to take place in Paraguay in October this year. In preparation, he is set to travel to China for a two-week training camp before heading to the global competition. The government has pledged to support his participation as he represents Kenya on the international stage.
PS Mwangi further stressed the importance of structured planning for international representation. He called on athletes and teams to present comprehensive competition calendars to the Ministry of Sports to ensure timely facilitation and proper budget planning. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting athletes and safeguarding their welfare as part of a broader strategy to position Kenya as a global sporting powerhouse.
The Ministry’s push for formal registration of emerging athletes signals a growing focus on professionalism and accountability in Kenya’s expanding sports ecosystem. With talents like Kelvin Kiarie gaining international recognition, the emphasis now shifts toward structured support systems that can sustain long-term success.
