Kenyatta University successfully hosted the International Symposium on Sport and Wellness in East Africa from 9th to 10th September 2025 at the Business and Students Service Centre (BSSC) under the theme “Endurance Running as an Effective Strategy for Youth Development and Public Wellness.”
The symposium brought together scholars, students, athletes, and professionals from Kenyatta University and the University of Tsukuba (Japan), with support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Nairobi Research Station. The event provided a vital platform for academic exchange and research collaboration in sports science, wellness, and endurance running.
The opening ceremony featured remarks by Dr. Juliah Boro Githanga, Chairperson of the Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science (PEESS); Prof. Okello Agina, Dean of the School of Health Sciences; Prof. Tian Xiaojie from the University of Tsukuba; and Dr. Yumi Yamane, Director of the JSPS Nairobi Station. The leaders underscored the importance of cross-cultural partnerships in advancing wellness, physical education, and health research across Africa and Asia.
In her keynote address, Prof. Joseph Ngeranwa Ag Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Outreach), highlighted the role of sport in youth empowerment, public health promotion, and sustainable development. Other distinguished speakers included Prof. Yoshihara Nabekura (University of Tsukuba), Dr. Francis M. Mwangi (Directorate of Sports and Games, KU), and Mr. Francis Karugu, Acting Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
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Presentations explored a wide range of topics including:
- The physiological and sociocultural dimensions of endurance running.
- Management of elite athletes in national institutions.
- Advanced footwear technologies and their impact on performance.
- Mental toughness and ethics in sports.
- Doping education and clean sport initiatives in East Africa; and
- The historical evolution of athletic talent development in Kenya.
Scholars and graduate students from both universities presented innovative studies on athlete monitoring, marathon training, and wellness strategies, emphasizing evidence-based practice and the integration of sports science into educational systems.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Francis Mwangi commended the collaborative spirit of all participants, while Dr. Juliah Githanga expressed gratitude to partners from the University of Tsukuba and JSPS, reaffirming Kenyatta University’s commitment to strengthening international research partnerships.
The symposium concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between Kenyatta University, the University of Tsukuba, and other global institutions to enhance research, innovation, and wellness in sports across East Africa.