The second edition of the camp began on Thursday (April 7) at the Kenyatta University’s Ruiru campus.

The camp will be held until April 18.

Africa Judo Union President Shadrack Maluki officially opened the event on behalf of NOC-K President Paul Tergat.

"I welcome you all to the NOC-K Camp which has been well prepared in collaboration with the Youth Commission," Maluki said.

"We have invested in this camp so you can train well and prepare for the Games ahead, beyond the Youth Africa Games."

The NOC-K has said the camp will focus on preparing athletes for the African Youth Games in Cairo.

The Games will take place in Egypt’s capital in August.

The organisation hopes the athletes will progress to represent Kenya at the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, with a view to competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Athletes participating at the camp are aged between 12 and 18.

The NOC-K also held an event prior to the camp to train coaches.

"We’ve brought together close to 200 athletes, we want to start preparing Team Kenya Youths for future events," said Francis Mutuku, NOC-K secretary general.

"Our big target for these youngsters is Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, we have four years to prepare and we believe by starting now.

"This is why we have widened our base in different discipline and increase the podium finish from Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, this is why we have trained the coaches.

"Our sport is also as good as our coaches."

The first edition of the NOC-K’s youth camp was held back in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic then prevented the organisation from holding camps.

The NOC-K has said several athletes from the first edition of the camp have graduated to senior national teams and competitions.