Citizen TV Kenya's Friday Night Sports, presented by sports journalist Bernard Ndong, recently featured the Kitale Roller Blades Skate Club in an inspiring news report that highlights the club's remarkable journey. Despite financial constraints and a lack of proper training spaces, the club has dominated local junior championships, producing some of the finest young skating talent in the region.
Training Against the Odds
The report opens with junior club members walking down a dirt road carrying their skates, accompanied by parents, guardians, and coaches. Because the club lacks a dedicated facility, skaters must walk to a paved road near the Kitale Referral Hospital — the only smooth, undisturbed surface available for them to practise. The children are shown putting on their skates and safety gear independently, a testament to the discipline the club instils in its members.
Coach Perspectives
Coach Gerishom Isanda explains that when the club first started, roller skating was not a widely recognised sport in Kenya. They had to teach themselves through trial and error with no proper facilities. Coach Michael Logose shares his personal journey of learning to skate by observing others at Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi, eventually joining them. He points out that they currently have to use public roads because there are very few professional skating rinks in Kenya.
Safety and Parent Support
Parents play a crucial role in the club's ecosystem. Pamela Wetindi notes that her child initially sustained minor injuries due to a lack of standard protective gear such as helmets, knee guards, and elbow guards. Damaris Obilo, a physiotherapist and exercise specialist, adds that the rough, unpaved roads in their residential areas are unsuitable for skating boots, making paved tarmac roads essential to prevent injuries. She also highlights the physical fitness benefits of the sport for children's development.
Financial Challenges
Inline skating is an expensive sport. Coach Michael Logose explains that a quality pair of speed skating boots can cost around 20,000 Kenyan Shillings, and protective gear is also highly priced. The club is heavily dependent on parents and well-wishers to keep its programmes running.
Achievements on the National Stage
Despite these challenges, the club's competitive success is undeniable. The report spotlights Wapi Magina, the club's youngest skater at just four and a half years old. Wapi has consistently finished on the podium in various national events, securing victories in the 100m and 200m sprints in Eldoret, Mombasa, Nakuru, and local school championships.
The report also features one of the skaters performing push-ups on inline skates — a striking demonstration of the strength and balance the sport develops.
A Call for Support
The report concludes with Bernard Ndong stating that the club hopes for government support to build a professional skating rink in Trans Nzoia County. With proper facilities, these young athletes can prepare for international competitions and put Kenya on the global roller skating map.
Kitale Roller Skaters Club continues to nurture champions against all odds. Follow their journey and support the next generation of Kenyan skating talent.