National Schools Sports Council Introduces Mental Fitness Curriculum

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) rolled out a mandatory Mental Fitness Curriculum in all national schools games on March 1, 2025—integrating mindfulness, stress management, and team cohesion modules into athlete training. Developed with AMREF and the Kenya Psychological Association, the program includes pre-competition breathing drills, post-loss reflection circles, and digital detox challenges. Early results: 68% drop in reported anxiety among athletes at the Term 1 games in Kakamega. Gold medals need strong minds, not just muscles, said KSSSA Chair Dr. Agnes Nangira. The Ministry of Education will adopt it nationwide in 2026. Olympic champions Peres Jepchirchir and Ferdinand Omanyala recorded motivational audio guides for the app.