Tecla Chemabwai: The first lady of athletics

At just 18, she made her debut in the Olympics becoming the youngest member of the Kenyan Olympic squad that competed in 1968 Summer Olympics

The bulk of athletics pioneers in the 1950’s and 60’s in Kenya were men. But amongst them were selfless, competent women who ably represented this country, starting their careers in on the tracks as early as from their teens. Tecla Chemabwai, a sprinter and middle distance runner, is one such athlete who scored many firsts in her long and illustrious career, especially at a time when women athletes from Kenya were few and far between. 



Action: Tecla doing her thing in one of the many competitions in
she participated in.



Tekla Chemabwai was born in July 3, 1950 in Mosombor in Nandi County.  At the tender age of 18, she made her debut in the Olympics becoming the youngest member of the Kenyan Olympic squad that competed in 1968 Summer Olympics. Chemabwai competed at the games which were held in Mexico City but did not advance past the heats in the 400 metres race. At the games, she, together with Lydia Stephens-Oketch and Elizabeth Chesire, was the first Kenyan woman athlete to ever compete at the Olympics. She reminisces that to her during that time, it was just a competition. “All I knew was that it was all about just running, competing. The person who won, won! The ones that were defeated tried their luck next time. It wasn’t that serious to me.” An attitude she attributes to her dismal performance in the games.

Four years later more serious, mature and a lot wiser, Chemabwai made a comeback to the Olympics arena, competing at the 1972 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals of 400 meters race. She says she had by then improved very much in shape owing to the improved focus on training. She had used her time well in building up her track shape.

Her glory had been long time coming when at the 1973 2^ND All-Africa games held in Lagos, Nigeria, she became the first Kenyan woman to win an All-Africa Games gold medal in athletics, doing so in the 400 meters race. Chemabwai continued her exploits, winning silver at the 1978 Commonwealth Games 800 metres race. The medal was only the second won by Kenyan women athletes in the Commonwealth Games, the first being that won by Sabina Chebichi, who finished third at the 1974 Commonwealth Games 800 metres race.

Chemabwai who is now a Sports Management lecturer in Moi University reminisces that it gave her immense pride to represent Kenya in the numerous assignments she was given. She says it was indeed an honour to go on behalf of all the people of the land and to be chosen from among a strong field of equally able peers. With an additional  number of East and Central African championships over 200 and 400 metres titles to her name, looking back now at her days on the track, Chemabwai intimates that she had a long and successful career because she did not jump into family life when she was still too young. She also attributes it also to the fact that she was lucky to be married to a fellow runner who understood athletics.

She advises upcoming female athletes to concentrate on building their careers and not rush into marriage “Marriage will not go anywhere. And your chances of making the right decisions on settling greatly improve with age. If a female athlete gets married soon into her career, it means she may not attain her peak.”  She also strongly advises them against agreeing to be taken in by men as second wives. She cautions female runners to be careful as many men would want to take advantage of their effort and sweat. “Not all men who seduce girls who run have their interests at heart. Some chase them for their money.”

Chemabwai says Kenya has a huge potential to compete in numerous disciplines in international games. What needs to be done, she says, is the allocation of resources that will be geared towards identifying and building talent. She says the Government should set aside funds to be used in building infrastructure and diversifying into other disciplines like javelin and short races. “We have people in this country whose structure is built for short races and the communities like the Maasai will have no problem throwing a spear” all that needs to be done, she advises, is to identify and build them into international competitors.



Tecla in her home in Eldoret recenly (Photo by Moses Tanui)



Being a trainer on Sports Management, Tecla Chemabwai says sports in the country needs qualified, competent and professional men and women who will be able to manage sports affairs and focus on growing the level of the various sports disciplines. She says it is time Kenyan athletes were managed and coached by compatriots, roles now largely played by foreigners. Sportspersons too need to be equipped with management skills, she adds, so that they can be able to make wise investments decisions and to be able to consolidate their gains and oversee their estates.

She is happy that the sports management course in Moi Univeristy is expanding, sharing that the course is tailored to incorporate good governance, integrity and selfless leadership. Chemabwai sees the country slowly but surely heading to having sufficient qualified men and women in the discipline of handling sports men and women and managing sports facilities.