Tinega: School isn’t my thing, athletics is

Brian Tinega is a teenager of many contrasts. He describes himself as someone who cannot focus in class to save a life. His concentration often impairs his abilities to perform and is quick to add that it is not a matter of effort, but a case of an individual not built for school. He is one of the fast-rising sprinters from Mogonga High School in Kisii County, who have huge ambitions of making it big in athletes. The school, located approximately 38km from Kisii town, is slowly becoming a power house in the sprints and middle distance races, with a number of athletes hoping to make Team Kenya for next year’s World U20 Championships slated for Nairobi. U-18 Championships Seventeen-year old Tinega won silver in 400m during the Africa Under-18 Championships in Ivory Coast this year. Besides, he won gold during the Anoca Games in Rwanda, but his regret is failing to make team Kenya for the world U18 Championships in 2017. “I know I can run well from 100m, 200m and 400m. Depending on the coach, I end up doing different races, but 400m is my favourite,” says the runner. “During the trials for U-18, I was number three which meant I had to miss a place in team Kenya,” he added. Tinega is, however, confident of making the team for the 2020 event for a chance to win a medal. “It is good to know what you’re good a, what you want to be identified with and what you want in life. In my case, it’s running that will help me achieve a better life and future,” he says. “School for me was an avenue to better my athletics career. I say that knowing school is very important but it’s not meant for me,” says Tinega, the national secondary schools games champion. Mogonga Athletics Camp, launched eight years ago, has given life to famous names in sprints including national 400m champion Mary Moraa, African Games 400m champion Vanice Kerubo, hurdler David Saruni, currently in the US on an athletics scholarship, and many more. “When I see athletes I used to share a training ground and dormitory with succeed, I get encouraged. It makes me believe I can also do it,” says the runner, who comes from Borabu constituency. Mogonga principal Haron Onchong’a is doing everything he can to ensure the school is dominant in sports. “Since 2014, we have managed top honours at national level. Since then, we have demonstrated that we are like a well that never dries. Getting this sponsored camp is because of the progress we have made over the years,” said Ochong’a, who doubles up as a coach at the camp. Just like World U-18 walking race bronze medallist Dominic Ndigiti, Moraa, KDF’s Elijah Mathew and then captain Saruni who were in Team Kenya two years ago, Ochong’a is looking forward to a good representation. “Here, we keep making future stars. When Moraa left, people thought we were done, little did they know that was the start,” says the principal.

Tinega: School isn’t my thing, athletics is

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Tinega: School isn’t my thing, athletics is

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