Role model Kibet back in Germany to inspire young Kenyan athletes

ESSEN - Alfred Kibet (KEN) has never forgotten the first time he left his homeland, Kenya, to attend the Duisburg 1989 Universiade.

“I was excited,” Kibet told the FISU Games News Service. “Germany was hi-tech. You want to travel, the train is there. You want the bus, it is there. The roads are in good shape. The hotels are available. Literally everything is available.

“I am so attached to the Ruhr, it has never left my brain. It was a great experience for me.

“I liked the food and the people. I was very comfortable. I liked Germany. I had learned some German and I enjoyed speaking it.”

Now Kibet is back in the region, 36 years on, aged 60, as the head of Kenya’s delegation. He used his experience as a young man as a career springboard – and he is the perfect role model for the equally hyped-up young athletes in his squad.

“I was a 1500m and 800m runner in 1989, but I didn’t do so well,” he said. “There were better athletes. That wasn’t important.

“The experience of Duisburg led me to a life in sport. I went into education, trained as a teacher, worked at schools and then universities. I came up with sports programmes.

“I organise inter-collegiate, inter-regional games, and events within East Africa. I am also treasurer of the Federation of Africa University Sports. So I am busy.”

Learning target

The educational opportunities that Rhine-Ruhr 2025 can open up are just as big a target as medals for his team.

“For us, getting scholarships is very important for Kenyan athletes,” Kibet said. “We’ve got students in USA, Japan, Qatar. We have 23 athletes here and we would like to have some in Germany. That is one of the best motivations to bring these children on board.

“We give them a lot of advice about the benefits of being in sport. Nothing encourages children more than the chance of education. So after running, they have the chance of employment.”

Kibet is a walking, talking example. He engages locals enthusiastically on the streets of Essen, showing off his vintage accreditation from Duisburg 1989.

“When I was given this chance to come to here again, I jumped at it,” he said. “Every time I go to a place, I show people my accreditation from 1989 and tell them I am a veteran, I have bragging rights. It is a big honour.”

Legendary runners

Kenya is legendary for its distance runners. It is on the track that they expect to excel again this summer. Why is the nation such a powerhouse?

“The tradition has been set. It started in the 1950s, and then you had greats like Kipchoge Keino, who ran in the 60s and 70s. Then so many examples came in and inspired others. Running is a huge tradition.

“In Kenya, the schools are far away. Children run to school. They must run, there is no transport system like in Germany. So the disadvantage becomes an advantage.”

Kibet has seen the lifelong benefits of sport. “I still like to run,” he said. “We don’t want children to be idle. We want them to be very active, not distracted.

“We want them to look at sport as something that improves discipline, keeps them busy and clean, avoid the drugs, stay healthy. We train students, and the community. When they win, we celebrate.”

As he nears the end of his career, meanwhile, the new generation must step up.

“I was running and that led me to employment immediately. I am almost ready for retiring, so it is time for them to replace me.”

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