Athletes compete at the Refugee Athlete Scholarship Trials (© Jairus Mola / NOC-K Media)
Four key sports organisations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recently joined efforts for the first time to organise and host the 2025 Refugee Athlete Scholarship Trials for those based in Kenya.
The trials were held in preparation for upcoming global events, such as the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 and the Youth Olympics in 2026, which will feature a refugee team for the first time, and with a long-term goal for the LA28 Olympic Games and other events.
It was a significant development for the refugee programme, which started in 2016. United for the common cause were World Athletics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through its Olympic Refugee Foundation (ORF), the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) and Athletics Kenya (AK) who merged efforts to set a new way of working together in the best interests of refugee athletes based in Kenya. As of 31 December 2024, the UNHCR reports that there were 823,932 registered refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya.
The initiative was spearheaded by NOCK President Paul Tergat and AK President Jackson Tuwei who, with their respective teams, brought in experienced professional staff to conduct, scout and manage the trials, just like any other trials in Kenya. Aside from AK technical officials, four Kenyan elite athletes – William Tanui, Janeth Jepkosgei, Japhet Kimutai and Alfred Kirwa – also played key roles in operations.
The process started with pre-trials on 1 February. A total of 416 refugee athletes registered and 343 eventually competed in the senior and U20 categories. This was followed by the finals on 11 February, when 63 refugee athletes from the Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, Dadaab Refugee Camp in Turkana County and other parts of Kenya were invited to compete at the Lorna Kiplagat High Altitude Training Centre. The prestigious facility in Iten is owned by world cross country and half marathon gold medallist Lornah Kiplagat and is a popular training site for local and international athletes.
The U20 shortlist comprises 11 male and 11 female refugee athletes, while the senior list features eight female and 14 male athletes. AK data shows that, compared to previous years, athletics’ appeal has grown in the refugee camps especially in the female category – an encouraging factor for the programme as it strives for gender balance. Now, all await the upcoming IOC announcement about the recipients of the IOC Refugee Athlete Scholarship in 2025.
Perina Nakang, one of the pioneers of the original World Athletics U20 team, was among the contenders. The 22-year-old has since progressed to the senior category and competed in the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23, the World Athletics Cross Country Championships Belgrade 24 and most recently, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Perina Nakang at the Refugee Team Trials (© Jairus Mola / NOC-K Media)
Despite the challenges of growing up in a refugee settlement, her resilience and dedication have garnered hope, inspiration and success through hard work. This softly-spoken athlete is a Form Three student at Cornerstone Secondary School in Kakuma who has been inspired by Kenyan champions such as world 800m champion Mary Moraa and multiple world and Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon, whom she has also interacted with during international events.
Nakang – who won the 400m and 800m races at the finals – has a deep passion for athletics because she says it allows individuals to take full control of their success through hard work and determination. She also admires how athletics has transformed the lives of many families, lifting them out of difficult circumstances and providing opportunities for a brighter future. Having been inspired by these stories, she remains focused on her own journey, hoping that through her dedication and achievements, she too can build a better life for herself and those around her.
“I still have a long journey, and I must thank the International Olympic Committee and World Athletics for introducing the refugee programme because from exposure, one can get to change his or her life and that of their families back at home,” said Nakang.
At the Paris Olympic Games, she competed in the heats and repechage round, running a PB of 2:08.20 in her heat.
“Having competed in the three international events, I just want to be like Athing Mu in future because I love her humility, and she keeps me going. Discipline is a factor here and I believe one day I will be able to make it in life and become one of the celebrated athletes,” she added.
Rose Ihisa, a previous recipient of the Refugee Athlete Scholarship, was second to Nakang in the 400m. She expressed hope that competing in the event will open doors for another scholarship. For her, athletics is not just about competition; it is a pathway to a brighter future, where both her academic and athletic dreams can come to life.
Abdi Fatah Aden from the Dadaab Refugee Camp, who is originally from Ethiopia, bagged victory in the 1500m after clocking 4:25.3 ahead of Dario Lokoro (4:32.7), while James Lokidich was third in 4:36.8. Aden said the competition was tough due to the high altitude but he was happy to have won the race, adding that he has goals to achieve including competing at the Olympic Games.
Athletes competing at the Refugee Team Trials (© Jairus Mola / NOC-K Media)
“I have made good progress since I came to Kenya, and I have always been inspired by Mo Farah and I would love to be like him. I know I will get there through hard work, discipline and staying focused because that is what is needed in athletics,” said Aden.
According to Gonzalo Barrio, Refugee Athlete Programme Manager at the Olympic Refugee Foundation, the IOC will be offering scholarships to the athletes so that they can further their education.
“Our work is to make sure the athletes from the refugee camps compete and we have to make sure we break all the barriers to ensure that they participate in the competitions just like any other athlete,” he said. “What is great is that we start from the youth category and there is a system that supports them throughout their sporting career and in their career transition as our target is for them to benefit from our support their entire life.”
Tuwei was glad to see the large number of athletes who turned up for the trials, adding: “We came in as a federation to make sure the event is successful.”
Tergat said: “The athletes from the refugee community are our brothers and sisters and that is why we are working to create opportunities to explore and develop their talent. Since the programme started in Kenya, it has been good exposure and an opportunity for them to compete at the top level. It is going to grow and it is going to be a big project.”
Alice Annibali from World Athletics, who manages the Athlete Refugee Team (ART), was present at the finals.
“These trials are a pivotal and historic moment for our refugee programme,” she said. “To witness four key organisations and the UNHCR working closely together, each in their own domain of expertise, is a dream come true. I strongly believe that this is the way forward for this programme because we understand, respect each other’s institutions and have the best interests of the refugee athletes at heart. This is the key to success.”
Bernard Rotich for World Athletics
