Emmanuel Wafula, the youngster in the 3,000m steeplechase, says his passion for sports stems from his poor upbringing.
Wafula won the 3,000m steeplechase in 8:32.09 at the World U-20 Championships national trials at Nyayo National Stadium earlier this month.
Wafula did not complete his education owing to a shortage of school fees, which he said was impossible for him to raise on his own.
The form three pupil said he has been forced to sleep hungry on several occasions owing to food shortage.
He stated that it was due to these difficulties that he chose to pursue athletics. He described how others in the community made fun of his condition.
“I ventured into athletes to change the lives of my people back home,” he said.
Adding: “I have not finished school yet due to lack of fees. Besides, I can’t think of school fees when we don’t even have food. There has hardly been peace at home due to this situation,” Wafula said.
He ventured into seriously athletics in 2020.
“I used to make my barriers and train on my own. It has not been an easy journey but I will not lose hope.”
He expressed a desire to return to school, but Emmanuel Wafula, the youngster in the 3,000m steeplechase, has explained that his passion for sports stems from his poor upbringing.
Wafula stated that he did not complete his education owing to a shortage of school fees, which he stated was impossible for him to raise on his own.
The form three pupil stated that he has been forced to hunger on several occasions owing to a shortage of food.
He stated that it was due to these difficulties that he chose to pursue athletics. He described how others in the community made fun of his condition.
“I ventured into athletes to change the lives of my people back home,” he said.
Adding: “I have not finished school yet due to lack of fees. Besides, I can’t think of school fees when we don’t even have food. There has hardly been peace at home due to this situation,” Wafula said.
time being, his concentration was on the World U-20 event in Cali.
Wafula is looking for gold in Colombia and will be accompanied by Haron Kibet.
He wants to repay his mother with a gold medal in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at next month’s World Under 20 Championship in Cali, Colombia.
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Wafula stated that his mother, Elizabeth Perio, a former athlete herself, has been supportive of his athletic career thus far and that he hopes to make her proud with an outstanding performance in the competition.
“When we go to Cali, I want to bring gold to Kenya because my people deserve to be happy. I have planned with Kibet and we are ready. I do not have any pressure because I am confident we shall win,” he said.
“Out of the whole family, she is the only other athlete although she didn’t go far in her career. I thank her so much because, alongside my father, they have given me their blessing and encouraged me to keep working hard. Even before I competed at the national trials for the Under 20 Championships, they had prayed for me and told me to trust in God,” Wafula said.
Wafula, a Form Three student at Chesito Secondary School in Mount Elgon, also thanked the school’s administrator, Daniel Mamboleo, for giving him as much training time as possible.
Wafula, on the other hand, laments the multiple hurdles he has faced during his training.
Meanwhile, Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei wished the team well and encouraged them to work together.
