Greatness requires internal toughness, (GRIT) is a phrase that has been used to insinuate that if you put in dedication, determination and resilience you will be able to be great at whatever you are doing.

A group of youth in Kivumbini have taken this acronym to heart as seen in their excellence portrayed in kick boxing, boxing and martial arts.

Training at the heart of Kivumbini estate, this group of youth sweat, bleed and give their all in this gymnasium.

A section of the Kivumbini gymnasium where youth train in boxing, kick boxing and martial arts.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

All these efforts were rewarded in a recent tournament that was held at the Pumwani Social Hall in Nairobi, where they managed to emerge the best county in Kenya.

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But behind this significant success is a sad tale of the problems these young men and women go through.

Mtaa Wangu speaks to Daniel Owino, one of the trainers who confirms that indeed the situation is dire.

He says that these young athletes undergo many challenges, giving an example of how even in the recent tournament in Pumwani Social Hall, they did not have a bus to take them to Nairobi.

“Fortunately, we managed to get transport but ended up arriving at the tournament late,” he adds.

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According to Owino, many of the youth have become so good to the point that they are able to compete at some of the highest level both locally and nationwide.

“We would want the youth to be empowered because they are very talented but they lack opportunities to showcase these talents.

For some of the youth, Owino says they end up engaging in criminal activities following the frustrations that they encounter trying to breakthrough in the sports.

“This would make them especially dangerous as they are very well trained,” he said.

Faizal Fabian is a trainee at Kivumbini gymnasium.

Photo credit: COURTESY

Faizal Fabian who is a trainee under coach Omondi conquers with the sentiments of his coach and says that many of them have turned to these indoor games as a form of sanctuary that protects them from engaging in vices.

“Some of us have turned away from life of crime and have decided to turn to these indoors activities hoping for a better shot at life,” Fabian says.

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“What we want is someone to empower us through this sport because at it stands, we are very talented. We just need someone to pave the way for us.”

sanyabret@gmail.com

How boxing, martial arts has changed the lives of youth in Kivumbini

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Bret Sanya