By Mishael Emmanuel who was in Abeokuta
One of Africa’s most talented young athletes, Gabon’s National hammer record holder and silver medalist at the just concluded CAA U-18/20 Championships, Kenza Falana, says Gabonese youths need sponsorship from corporate bodies, sporting institutions and more important the government to excel.
Kenza Falana who won silver at the just concluded CAA U-18/20 Championships in the women’s U-20 hammer said young athletes of Gabonese yearn for the much needed incentives to train and compete effectively on the world stage.
Falana who claimed silver with a distance of 55.42 meters, stated that the Gabonese government promised to help her obtain a scholarship and a loan from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but they are still waiting for positive feedback from the Government and the Fédération Gabonaise d’Athlétisme (FGA), about a year later.
South Africa’s Anja Holtzhausen picked up the Gold medal in the category, throwing 1.99 meters farther than the Gabonese international, 57.41meters. Egypt’s Atse Yeanecives was a mile off the leaders, her best effort being a 48.86m throw to claim the bronze on the final day of the championships.
In her words, “At first my mom was a bit skeptic especially when we had to do competition that’s weren’t like close to home.”
“Now she realized that I am a champion and that I was a good athlete like I was going to the French National Trials and she’s been supporting me for the past three years and helping me to competitions and even traveling.”
Marthe Falana who funded her daughter’s to Nigeria for the competition said she was both proud and impressed with her performance and achievements thus far.
“But since she proved her ability and passion for athletics. I started supporting her the best way I could as a mother.”
“For parents it is not easy, you never know whether you can win or not, schools time, can pass and we are dealing with the future of our kids and we are so protective sometimes but today based on her performance she needs my support, my total support and I’m here for that”.
Marthe Falana said the silver medal at the CAA Combined Championships also encouraged her to give all the support that she needs.
“I’m encouraged to provide more support to my daughter who proved me to Gabon and all the continent that she is ready and has what it takes to rule not just Africa but also the world.”
“I have to encourage her and this is a reminder for the country to open and pushes all the doors for her and all stakeholders who can help partners, sponsors, national authorities should come to the athlete’s aid.
Marthe Falana who has personally been her sole sponsor, mentioned that it is nothing near sustainable.
“We really really need financial support. Just to come here I had to personal purchase all the equipments and kit she needs to compete and it’s a lot for me I have to pay her training center, it’s a lot of money that I have to spend and I have 6 children.”
“It is too much for a mother to be able to adequately support all these so I need help and I’m encouraged by what she achieved yesterday and to try to have more support from external partners.”
Marthe Falana is confident that her daughter is now ready for professional action.
“Based on her records and achievements she has what it takes to make her mark on the global stage.”
“She is well supported and the coach from France helped her to gain 11 meters in 6 months, with right associates.”
“I hope that I will be able to maintain this means around her the coach because if I don’t pay the center she would not have access to the coach it’s all about financial support around but she is already qualified for the Olympic Games having thrown beyond the minimum distance.”
A student of the famous Université de Paris stated youths can effectively combine learning with sports, “I have the opportunity to not have some mandatory school classes because I’m an athlete, so I can have more time to train and I think that really helps.
Kenza Falana who featured at the Paris Olympics, gave her target for the next couple of years. “I think I will be able to compete at the 2028 Olympics and that’s my long term goal.”
Kenza Falana who flew the Green, Yellow and Blue flag from “the land of last Eden” at the continental showpiece needs the official stamp and signature of Fédération Gabonaise d’Athlétisme.
Africa’s U-20 lead and multiple U-18 and U-20 champion with a World Athletics certified personal best of 57.50 meters in women’s hammer, has now set her sights on throwing a new African record.
“If you want to be successful, you need to go and get the blessings of Africa” and that Kenza Falana has received with a silver medal at Africa biggest age-grade competition.
The damsel from ‘the Last Eden’, with a bias for field events, wants to be an important piece in reposition Gabon and the African continent.
She dares to dream and try, she has what it takes to be among the elite few on the high table in athletics and the beautiful Central African country of Gabon that has consistently competed at the Summer Olympics Games since 1972, is the flag she takes pride in.
