Mara Sports Festival launched, set to unite 15,000 youth in Nairobi

The six-day event, themed “Forging Champions, Building Futures,” is expected to draw participants ranging from football and athletics to swimming, squash, and martial arts.

The festival, organised by Peak Target Limited, is designed as a platform for schools, academies, and community teams to showcase talent, foster inclusivity, and promote discipline, wellness, and sportsmanship.

More than just competition, the event will inject over KSh 7 million worth of sports equipment vouchers directly into schools and academies, ensuring long-term benefits beyond the tournament itself.

Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Peak Target Limited, Chandresh Sagar, said the festival was inspired by his lifelong passion for sports and the need to make athletics accessible to all children.

“Sports have always been a major part of our life, and when we shifted here, we saw there was a chance to do much more. That’s why we launched the Mara Sports Festival — a platform where every child, regardless of background, gets a chance to compete as an athlete, not defined by where they come from,” Sagar explained.

He emphasized that the initiative is also aimed at attracting corporate partnerships to sustain youth sports development in Kenya.

“If more corporates come in, more kids will get the chance to play, and the money will start flowing into sports. This is just the first baby step, but our vision is to grow the festival into a national and eventually regional championship,” he added.

The festival has also attracted support from leading athletes and administrators. Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, lauded the initiative but challenged federations to ensure proper nurturing of identified talents.

“We know a lot about the festival, but the big question is what happens after that. These kids need to be nurtured. Less than 5% of athletes in Kenya are professionals, and that must change. I’m happy Mara Sports is taking this step, and I hope it grows to become the Olympics of its own in the future,” said Omanyala.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) through its President Shadrack Maluki alongside his 1st Deputy Barnaba Korir, also pledged its commitment to supporting the festival and creating pathways to international success.

“We want to partner with everyone who shares the dream of growing sports in this country. Development will be gauged by medals won internationally, and this festival is a crucial step in preparing our youth. NOCK will mobilize resources to ensure this talent does not die young but grows to maturity,” said Maluki.

With robust child safeguarding protocols, on-site medical support, hydration and rest zones, the Mara Sports Festival is also prioritizing athlete welfare.

Organisers believe this holistic approach will help inspire a new generation of champions, united by the belief that sport can change lives.