Twelve Kenyan coaches have successfully completed the House of Coaches Project, an elite sports exchange initiative born out of the strong and productive partnership between Kenya and the City of Miramas in France.
The graduating class included nine athletics coaches, along with three specialists in taekwondo, cycling, and strength training.
Recruited from local sports clubs and educational institutions across Kenya, the coaches underwent an intensive training programme in Miramas, where they were immersed in modern coaching techniques, exposed to world-class facilities, and gained deep insights from France’s advanced sports science ecosystem.
Presiding over the graduation ceremony in Miramas, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, the Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, praised the coaches for their dedication, discipline, and commitment.
“I commend the 12 coaches for their perseverance throughout this rigorous programme. The enduring friendship between Kenya and France continues to thrive through such impactful collaborations,” said CS Mvurya.
“Aligned with our Ministry’s mission to identify, nurture, and expose talent, I am confident that the expertise gained will positively impact thousands of young athletes back home—turning raw talent into real achievement.”
CS Mvurya also lauded the City of Miramas for its innovative integration of technology in sports development and emphasized Kenya’s intention to expand bilateral cooperation.
Beyond athletics, rugby, fencing, squash, golf, and water sports, Kenya is now looking to engage with France in emerging areas like e-sports and basketball.
“Our delegation has witnessed the depth of infrastructure and technical knowledge available in Miramas,” he said.
“We are especially impressed by the professionalism of French coaches, their innovative use of data, and the integration of science in sports. These lessons are critical to Kenya’s growing sports landscape.”
In addition to sports, CS Mvurya underscored the importance of extending the partnership into the arts, culture, and creative economy, which are vital avenues for youth empowerment in Kenya.
“For a youthful country like Kenya—rich in music, film, digital arts, and innovation—collaborating with a city like Miramas, with its mentorship resources and world-class infrastructure, is a natural step forward.”
He invited French partners and the City of Miramas to explore further collaboration in Kenya, particularly through training programs in high-altitude locations such as Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet County, renowned for producing world-class distance runners, as well as in sports like mountain running and paragliding.
The Kenya-Miramas relationship has already borne fruit, with Miramas contributing to the development of training facilities in Iten—a testament to the power of international cooperation in promoting youth development and sporting excellence.
