Organisers of the first-ever Mara Sports Festival have confirmed that the event, scheduled for December 6th to 11th, 2025, is poised to become a major fixture in Kenya's youth sports landscape. The tournament is expected to attract over 15,000 young athletes from across the nation to compete at Nairobi's Ulinzi Sports Complex and Nyayo National Stadium. The event's founder, Chandresh Sagar, noted that initial interest has far exceeded expectations, with 150 schools and academies expressing interest against an original target of 60.

The six-day festival will feature 18 to 19 different sporting disciplines, including football, basketball, rugby, athletics, swimming, and hockey. It is open to both public and private schools, as well as sports academies, with age categories ranging from under-eight to under-18. This broad scope is intended to create a comprehensive platform for talent discovery and development, filling a void in the national youth sports calendar that typically follows the conclusion of the main school competitions in August.

Bridging the Gap in Youth Sports

The Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) has endorsed the festival, with Vice Chair Maurice Okumu describing the initiative as a "noble venture" that arrives at an opportune moment. "Usually, after every August, we don’t have many events, so I think you’re bridging a very important gap," Okumu stated on Saturday, October 25, 2025. The KSSSA official expressed hope that the tournament will evolve into a national event, providing a consistent stage for young athletes to hone their skills in preparation for the following season.

The festival, themed “Forging Champions, Building Futures,” is organised by Peak Target Limited, a company founded by Sagar. Sagar, the CEO, explained that the vision is to make sports accessible to all children, regardless of their background. "This is just the first baby step, but our vision is to grow the festival into a national and eventually regional championship," he remarked during the official launch on September 5, 2025.

Investment and Future Opportunities

A key component of the festival is a significant investment in grassroots sports infrastructure. Organisers have announced plans to inject over KSh 7 million worth of sports equipment vouchers directly into participating schools and academies. This initiative aims to provide long-term benefits that extend beyond the competition itself.

Furthermore, the event will serve as a crucial scouting ground. Sagar has confirmed the presence of scouts and revealed ambitious plans to facilitate scholarships and sponsorships for talented participants through corporate partnerships. "Going forward, that’s the thought process… to provide sponsorship to talented kids," he said. This aligns with the broader goal of creating sustainable pathways for young athletes to transition into professional careers.

The initiative has garnered support from prominent figures in Kenyan sports. The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) has pledged its commitment to supporting the festival. NOCK President Shadrack Maluki stated that the committee would help mobilize resources to ensure that identified talent is nurtured to maturity. Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, also lauded the event but emphasized the critical need for sports federations to establish clear structures for nurturing the talent discovered.

The Mara Sports Festival is set to take place from Friday, December 6, 2025, to Wednesday, December 11, 2025, with events held at both the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata and the Nyayo National Stadium. The convergence of thousands of young athletes, national sports bodies, and potential corporate sponsors in Nairobi highlights the festival's potential to significantly impact the future of Kenyan sports.