By OUR CORRESPONDENT
The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and the University of Nairobi’s Department of Physical Education and Sport have launched a Certificate Course in Sports Coaching.
The program, hosted at the University’s Kikuyu campus, is set to transform the country’s coaching landscape by integrating scientific knowledge with practical expertise.
For years, Kenyan sports have been fueled by raw talent and passion, yet many coaches have lacked access to formal training that combines theory with hands-on experience.
This new course seeks to bridge that gap by offering structured learning in Olympic sports disciplines, equipping coaches with both theoretical foundations and practical applications.
The initiative is the first of its kind in Africa, marking a unique collaboration between an Olympic Committee and a university, and has already garnered significant interest from aspiring coaches and existing ones.
“It is the first time we as the University of Nairobi are getting to interact with the industry and we are very glad that will be able to impact the coaches, and we will be very proud to see them apply these lessons and even probably coach some of our teams to the Olympic Games,” said Michael Otieno who is a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
The six-month program, which has attracted a strong cohort of 41 coaches, is designed to provide a holistic understanding of sports coaching.
Thirteen of the participants have received full scholarships from NOC-K, ensuring inclusiveness and access to quality education in sports science.
The course will be delivered by a blend of university lecturers and industry professionals, providing an enriching mix of academic rigor and real-world coaching insights.
“We realize the coaches are very good at what they do but when it comes to papers they lack, therefore we are very grateful to the University for accepting to collaborate with NOCK on this and we believe that it will enable the coaches to now advance to the next level,” reiterated NOC-K treasurer Eliud Kariuki.
In its first semester, the curriculum will cover key areas such as Sports Pedagogy, Sports Psychology and Sociology, Sports Administration & Management, Biomechanics in Sports, and Functional Human Anatomy & Physiology.
The second semester will dive deeper into specialized topics, including First Aid and Sports Injury Management, LongTerm Athlete Development Pathway, Nutrition and Sports Performance, Principles of Coaching & Conditioning, and Sport-Specific Skills.
“I believe this course will help me grow both as an athlete and coach which will mean that my athletes also are to get more, so it’s a win across the board. I am most interested and look forward to getting a lot of insights on the ethics unit,” Fencer Jason Gatebu.
The significance of this program extends beyond the classroom. It aligns seamlessly with NOC-K’s long-term vision of establishing a High-Performance Centre (HPC) at the University of Nairobi’s main campus.
This facility is envisioned to become the training hub for Team Kenya ahead of major international competitions, while also serving as a rehabilitation Centre for athletes recovering from injuries.
Looking ahead, NOC-K aims to have the course certified by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), further cementing Kenya’s commitment to global coaching standards.
As the first cohort prepares to graduate between July and August 2025, this initiative signals a new era for sports education in Kenya—one where science, structure, and skill development converge to build a stronger foundation for the country’s sporting success.
