A Kirinyaga born has broken the norm in sports,has taken part in Canoeing Slalom kayaking that has made him soar in the world of water sporting.
Samuel Muturi, a 29-year old has made a name in Canoeing Slalom Kayaker that has made him be noticed internationally becoming a Gold winner in Central region in readiness to participate in the sport come 2024.
After a training session at the whitewaters savaga wilderness area that normally hosts the sports, he said that his passion grew with the experience when growing up.
He said,”having grown in Sagana had time to swim along river Sagana during my years while growing up,I developed passion for water sport and thats why I have ventured into canoeing,Kayaking”.
The sport has currently made him stretch the boundaries of sports and talent in Kenya;a sport that is becoming recognised.
Muturi who made history when he became the first Kenyan Salom Canoe kayaker to reach a semifinal at the 2019 World Championships in La Seu d’Urgell in Spain during his debut, received a sh 500,000 award in support and recognition of his talent and which he now seeks to take to the next level with a vision to be Kenya’s first-ever Olympic canoe slalom kayaking.
“At the Savage Wilderness Whitewater Rafting Centre in Sagana, Kirinyaga County,I have been able he displayed his skills and mastery in the water paddling sport alongside one of his teammates.
“I have participated in several events, four world championships and three Africa championships including the Africa Olympic Qualifiers held in Sainte Suzanne, La Reunion, in February.”Said Muturi.
He said that the training is normally done at the Whitewaters for lack of training ground and space,citing it is not easy since the sport is a private one promising Kenyans a win.
Speaking while receiving a Sh 500,000 check from Sportspesa,he pointed out that the water sports equipment is expensive and have no choice but to train with our old gears. Therefore, a support like this will really help us improve kayaking and canoeing in Kenya.
“The financial boost I have received from sportspesa will enable us buy the water sporting gears required since they are expensive,We are using the old ones”He went on to say.
Muturi is seeking financial support to enable him represent Kenya in the 2024 olympics.
Muturi elaborated his commitment to attract young talent in growing the niche sport in the country where he trains local youngsters around his home in Sagana, hoping to encourage more people to take up water sports and put canoe slalom kayaking on the Kenyan Olympic agenda.
During the 2019 World Championships, Muturi achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Kenyan canoe slalom kayaker to qualify for a semifinal in an international competition. Muturi who competes in the K1 and C1 categories including the extreme Slalom discipline currently works with his Coach, Titus Mureithi and about 20 teammates, domiciled at the Savage Wilderness Whitewater Rafting Centre as his training grounds.
According to Coach Mureithi, the Tujiamini initiative offers a very good platform for talent at all levels and Samuel’s award resonates perfectly with the intended impact on emerging talents.
Willis Ojwang, the Communication and Advertising Manager, SportPesa, noted the uniqueness of water rafting and paddling sports such as Canoeing and Kayaking which are relatively unknown in Kenya but which have a huge potential in mopping up talent in the grassroots.
“As a young boy, Muturi Watched rafters float downstream, igniting his passion for water sports. Today he is a trailblazer who is not only committed to achieving his dream of representing Kenya as the country’s first-ever Olympic canoe slalom kayaker, but has chosen to also inspire other young people to take up the sport. That is the true essence of believing in oneself. This is what Tujiamini Initiative is all about,” he said.
Muturi’s unveiling follows that of four and other 80 winners in the silver and bronze categories respectively, over the weekend during the conclusion of the Tujiamini Cheza Dimba Tournament in Kirinyaga. The Tujiamini Initiative that aims to give a showcase platform for both individual and community grassroots sports and related talents now moves to the Eastern region covering 11 counties where other Gold, Silver, bronze and Tujiamini Cheza Dimba winners will be announced in one month’s time..
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