Her remarkable performance in the 300m steeplechase caught the eye of Kenya's Cabinet Secretary in Charge of Sports, Ababu Namwamba, who pledged his support to motivate young athlete
Mercy Chepngeno, a promising young athlete, beamed with joy as she welcomed a distinguished visitor to her school, bearing goodie bags that could propel her budding running career to new heights.
The 17-year-old Chepngeno, hailing from Lesirwo in Kericho County, had captured attention during The rift valley Secondary Schools Championships held at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium by clinching first place while running barefoot.
Her remarkable performance in the 300m steeplechase caught the eye of Kenya's Cabinet Secretary in Charge of Youth Affairs,Creative Economy and Sports Ababu Namwamba, who pledged his support to motivate and uplift the young athlete's potential running career.
During his visit to Lesirwo Secondary School, CS Namwamba presented Chepngeno and two other winners from the championships with running shoes, official Team Kenya kit, and financial assistance to support their education.
In a statement on the Ministry's official social media pages, CS Ababu highlighted, "This gesture reflects the government's commitment to identifying and nurturing talents through the #TalantaHela initiative."
The CS outlined plans to establish a training camp in the region and integrate Chepngeno and other promising athletes into specialized programs at the Kenya Academy of Sports, aiming to revitalize Kenya's steeplechase prowess strategically.
The statement emphasized that, "Chepngeno's resilience and talent have not only earned her acknowledgment but also educational and athletic support, underscoring the importance of determination and talent in sports development endeavors."
Kenya is renowned worldwide for its long-distance prowess, with the 3000m steeplechase being a traditional Kenyan stronghold in the sporting arena.