Kenyan sprint sensation Omanyala endorses Kenya-France sports partnership

Kenyan sprint sensation Omanyala endorses Kenya-France sports partnership

Stephen Awino 07:30 - 03.11.2024

The collaboration seeks to assist athletes from both nations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage cultural exchanges that go beyond mere competition.

Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has thrown his support behind a new sports partnership between Kenya and France, a collaboration designed to celebrate and elevate the legacy of sports between the two nations.

The initiative has received full backing from both the Kenyan and French embassies, highlighting the diplomatic importance of this athletic bridge.

At the core of this partnership is the township of Miramas in France, which hosted Team Kenya during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Now, Miramas has extended an ongoing welcome to Kenyan athletes through this partnership, emphasizing sports exchange, training, and development.

In return, Iten, Kenya’s iconic high-altitude training hub, will host French athletes as part of the exchange.

This will allow French athletes to benefit from Kenya’s renowned athletic culture and resources while building camaraderie across borders.

Omanyala, reflecting on the significance of the collaboration, expressed his enthusiasm.

“I'm honored to be here as a member of the Miramas Athletics Club and a long friend to the French embassy. It has been incredible, and I'm just happy that we are here talking about sports and sports development," said Omanyala at the unveiling of the collaborative framework of the partnership on Friday.

The partnership, according to Omanyala, goes beyond athletics, underscoring a shared commitment to the growth of sports at large.

He commended the involvement of officials and diplomats in advancing sports initiatives, noting how impactful it is.

"I'm happy that people can sit down in suits, government officials, and embassies to talk about sports and how it’s impactful to society. That means a lot, and I stand here today to represent athletes."

Through this partnership, both countries aim to support each other’s athletes, share knowledge, and foster a cultural exchange that transcends competition.