BY RITA MUTHONI
Kenyan top Kayaker Samuel Muturi has been unveiled as the Gold Winner in the central region Tujiamini Cheza Dimba initiative powered by SportPesa.
Muturi, who made history when he became the first Kenyan Salom Canoe kayaker to reach the semi-finals at the 2019 World Championships in La Seu d’Urgell Spain during his debut, has received a Sh500,000 award in support and recognition of his talent.
Muturi participated in four world and three African championships, including the Africa Olympic Qualifiers held last February in Sainte Suzanne, La Reunion.
Muturi has been competing in the K1 and C1 categories including the extreme Slalom discipline.
He works with his Coach, Titus Mureithi, and 20 teammates, domiciled at the Savage Wilderness Whitewater Rafting Centre at Sagana, Kirinyaga County as his training grounds.
After receiving the award, Muturi said with this support, he seeks to take his talent to the next level with a vision to be Kenya’s first-ever Olympic canoe slalom kayaker.
“It is not easy to train around here because we don’t have a permanent course. Water sports equipment is expensive, and we have no choice but to train with our old gear. A support like this will help us improve kayaking and canoeing in Kenya,” said Muturi.
Coach Mureithi praised the Tujiamini initiative for nurturing talent across all levels, noting that the award exemplifies the initiative’s impact on emerging talents.
Willis Ojwang, the Communication and Advertising Manager at SportPesa, emphasized the potential of water rafting and paddling sports like Canoeing and Kayaking in discovering talent at the grassroots, despite their relative obscurity in Kenya.
“As a young boy, Muturi watched rafters float downstream, igniting his passion for water sports. Today, he is a trailblazer committed to achieving his dream of representing Kenya as the country’s first-ever Olympic canoe slalom kayaker. This would also inspire other young people to embrace the sport,” he said.
Muturi’s unveiling follows that of four and another 80 winners in the silver and bronze categories over the weekend during the conclusion of the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Tournament in Kirinyaga.
The Tujiamini Initiative which aims to give a showcase platform for individual and community grassroots sports and related talents, moves to the Eastern region covering 11 counties where other Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Tujiamini Cheza Dimba winners will be announced in one month.
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