On Saturday 28th 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
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