Ashley Tshanda and Issa Laborde begin intensive training ahead of Winter Youth Olympic Games

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WINTER GAMES Ashley Tshanda and Issa Laborde begin intensive training ahead of Winter Youth Olympic Games

Abigael Wafula 17:55 - 05.07.2023

The training aims to assist athletes from developing nations by providing them with training opportunities.

NOC-K has announced that Ashley Tshanda, a Cross Country Skier, and Issa Laborde, an Alpine Skier have arrived in South Korea for a 14-day training camp, scheduled to take place from today, July 5 to 18.

The two Kenyan athletes were recommended and accepted to participate in the New Horizon Academy Program and the camp will provide the selected athletes with valuable training and support, equipping them with the necessary skills and experience to compete at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.

The program under the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation, was established by the South Korean Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism and Gangwon province.

It aims to assist athletes from developing nations or nations that have not previously participated in the Winter Youth Olympic Games, providing them with training opportunities to pursue their dreams of competing in these prestigious sporting events.

It focuses on youth-oriented sports activities and the development of winter sports and also oversees the management of three venues used during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. They include the Alpensia Sliding Centre, Gangneung Hockey Centre, and Gangneung Oval.

The Foundation's commitment to fostering sports excellence and inclusivity has led to the creation of the New Horizon Academy Programme.

NOC-K President, Paul Tergat was invited to open the camp on behalf of ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf stated his realization and appreciation of what an early opportunity in life means, and establishing opportunities for young athletes.

“In 2018, I was privileged to attend and witness the colorful and well-executed PyeongChang Winter Olympics here in Korea, immediately after I was elected the President of the National Olympic Committee in Kenya.”

The president urged the athletes not to lose the key ingredients for the success of an athlete’s career which are hard work, focus, and high discipline

As an Olympic governing body dedicated to celebrating the Olympic Games, both Summer, and Winter, NOC-K recognizes the immense potential and dreams of young Kenyan athletes in winter sports.

In previous Winter Olympic Games, Kenyan athletes like 1998 Nagano Cross Country Skier Olympian Phillip Boit and the first Kenyan female Alpine Skier Sabrina Wanjiku have been a source of inspiration for many Kenyans worldwide.

Both Ashley and Issa have excelled in national and international ski competitions. Ashley, currently studying at the ISIS "Ingeborg Bachmann" International Ski College in Tarvisio, Italy, undergoes intensive daily training as part of her secondary school education. She has achieved success in numerous local, regional, and national ski competitions in Italy.

Issa’s coach, Valtadoros Alexandre will accompany the team as an Alpine skier coach while Ashley will get a coach in camp.