Former Kenya 7s SnC to coach Omanyala
By Collins Amanga, October 24, 2023
Ferdinand Omanyala will head into the sprint-filled 2024 season under the guidance of renowned coach Geoffrey Kimani, the former Strength and Conditioning coach for Kenya 7s.
This exciting partnership comes as Omanyala prepares to make his mark on the World Indoor Championships and the Olympics.
Kimani to lead Omanyala
Kimani steps into this role to coach Omanyala, replacing the former coach, Duncan Ayiemba. His tenure has commenced and his first test will be in March 2024, during the World Indoors Championship.
Kimani’s coaching journey saw him part ways with Kenya 7s in July, a departure closely following the exit of head coach Damian McGrath and his backroom staff.
Kimani, with his wealth of experience, is set to bring a fresh perspective to Omanyala’s sprinting career. Confirming his new role, Kimani expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming season,
“New Dawn… Back on track, and greatly honored in taking up the role of Sprints Coach to @Ferdiomanyala through a busy 2024 season. We will be kicking off the season with the World Indoors in March 2024… Onto the hard work!” Kimani announced.
Kimani has previously served as the Strength and Conditioning lead consultant for Team Kenya during the Tokyo Olympic Games under the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K).
In this capacity, he played a key role in training national team coaches whose teams had already qualified for the Olympics. His position was part of NOC-K’s strategic objective under the Elite Athlete Development program.
Kimani’s extensive coaching background also includes roles as an SnC coach for Uganda Rugby Sevens and as the Speed Coach for Mathare Youth Sports Association’s Mathare United Soccer team.
Moreover, he has served as a sprints and hurdles Coach for Team Kenya at the World Championships in 2015.
Beyond sprint coaching, Kimani’s impressive resume includes being a World Rugby S&C Educator, a World Athletics Sprints and Hurdle Lecturer, and a member of the Elite Athlete Performance Commission at the National Olympics Committee of Kenya. He is also the Owner of Speedstars Sports Performance.
Omanyala record
Omanyala, the Kenyan sprint sensation, is no stranger to the world of athletics. In 2022, he secured his first international championship victories, triumphing in the 100m at both the Commonwealth Games and the African Championships in Athletics.
He is the African record holder in the 100m and ranks as the ninth-fastest man of all time in the event after clocking a blistering time of 9.77 seconds on September 18, 2021, in Nairobi. He also holds the Kenyan national record in the 60m.