In a landmark achievement for Kenyan sports, 12 coaches graduated from the House of Coaches project in Miramas, France, a great step in international sports collaboration.

The graduation ceremony, attended by Kenya’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, and Miramas Mayor Frédéric Vigouroux, celebrated the culmination of a transformative training programme fostering excellence in athletics, taekwondo, cycling, and strength training.

“It is a profound honour to have joined Mr Frédéric Vigouroux, Mayor of the City of Miramas in France, as we celebrated a significant milestone–the graduation of 12 exceptional Kenyan coaches from the House of Coaches project,” Mvurya posted on his X account on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

This initiative, born from a decentralised sports partnership between the City of Miramas and Elgeyo Marakwet County, underscores the power of global cooperation in advancing sports development.

The programme, supported by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya under Paul Tergat, provided the coaches, nine specialising in athletics and three in taekwondo, cycling, and strength training, with access to cutting-edge methodologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced sports science.

These opportunities have equipped them to elevate training standards back home, fostering a new generation of Kenyan athletes.

Mvurya hails people-centred collaboration

Minister Mvurya, accompanied by Betty Cherwon, Tergat, and Director of Sports Indakwa, praised the initiative as a symbol of mutual respect and shared commitment to excellence.

The House of Coaches project aligns with the growing need for standardised, high-quality sports infrastructure to enhance athlete performance and ensure equitable access to modern training environments.

Mvurya, who toured indoor and outdoor sports facilities in Miramas, noted the city’s ambition to establish itself as a global sports hub.

He emphasised that such infrastructure, combined with international exchange programmes, is critical for talent development and positioning nations competitively on the world stage.

Kenya, France cement sporting ties

The graduating coaches, drawn from Kenyan schools and local sports clubs, are poised to implement their newfound expertise, integrating advanced techniques and sports science into their training programmes.

This milestone not only strengthens Kenya’s sports ecosystem but also deepens ties with France, fostering cross-cultural collaboration.

Expressing gratitude to the City of Miramas and its residents, Mvurya hailed the partnership as a legacy transcending sport.

“Our sincere thanks also go to the City of Miramas, especially Mayor Frédéric, and the generous people of Miramas for their warm hospitality and steadfast dedication to this growing partnership,” he said.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports remain committed to sustaining this collaboration, ensuring Kenyan sports continue to thrive globally.