THE BIG-FIVE KARATE KIDS

MAKING OLYMPIANS

 

On Saturday 28^th July, Tofauti was hosted at the residence of Esther at Airport View Estate Nairobi. The visit was rather casual but very interesting considering the kind of people we got to meet. In attendance was Billy Konchella, a former 800m athlete who won two World Championship medals in Rome 1987 and Tokyo 1991. His record of 1:43:06 mins (1987) is still unbroken to this date. His long athletics career ended in the late 1990’s.

Early this year he started the Billy Konchella Foundation which nurtures young talent in sports. He trains young children in soccer, running, swimming, basketball etc. This foundation has been around for less than a year but is showing great growth potential in this country as one that will help young people realize their dream in the sports sector.

Tofauti had the privilege of meeting this exceptional athlete who is down to earth despite his great accolades.

 He told us about his career and the achievements he has had to this date, how he started his foundation and how much it has grown. We also met some of the children that he trains particularly one charming young boy called Amani aged 4 years old. He hopes to be one of the greatest sports men in the world not forgetting he also said he wants to be the King of the world. We also had the privilege of doing some stretching exercises with him. We received great health tips from him as well, for example..

 “Did you know that milk consumes a lot of energy in order to be digested, therefore it is not advisable to drink milk in the morning especially for children as this makes you less productive throughout the day.”

As the day progressed, Paul Tergat, a Kenyan professional long distance runner who held the world record from 2003 to 2007 with a time of 2:04:05 mins arrived at the residence too. He is regarded as the most accomplished long distance runner of all time. He also has a foundation dubbed the Paul Tergat Foundation which helps disadvantaged Kenyan Sports people.

Tofauti  hopes to have more interactions with them in future. We also hope to nurture young people who will eventually be great leaders and champions in the world just like these two great men are.

By,

Christine Gachuru

Director Tofauti on the move