The hidden tale behind Kenya’s fast-forward

Published on Sunday 21 July 2002 01:00

Few will contest the argument that Kenya, at the Commonwealth Games and on the running track, is a powerhouse. But it was not always thus, and far fewer will appreciate that the present-day strength of the African nation owes much to an 80-year-old Englishman, now resident in Cumbria, but hoping to take his place in the stands in Manchester.

Archie Evans was the country’s first colonial sports officer, taking Kenya to their debut Olympics in Melbourne in 1956, and then, two years later, to their first Commonwealth Games, in Cardiff. He returned to Britain in 1966 after nearly 20 years spent overseeing the phenomenal development of Kenyan athletes.

With a brief to implement a countrywide programme that would produce world-class performers, in athletics, hockey and football, Evans moulded the young nation’s sporting psyche at its most formative period.

Remarkably, Evans’ story has been virtually unrecorded in the build-up to the Manchester Games. That may have something to do with the country’s desire to distance itself from its colonial past. As Evans himself points out: "I don’t use my original job title today in case it upsets anyone.

"My brief was to develop sport and physical recreation throughout the country. I had realised, even when I was stationed there during the war, that there was talent. When I started the job we tried also to develop our officials and coaches alongside our athletes - I considered that to be important.

"In 1947 I came home, got married, and then went back out to Kenya, where I was offered this new post. I worked very hard and left, finally, with great reluctance."

Evans cultivated a reputation as a hard taskmaster. "I suppose I did work them pretty ruthlessly, but I can only remember one athlete complaining. They were good pupils, and very appreciative all the time, even if they did have to work hard."

One of them, Joseph Leriasi, an Olympic high jumper, remembers that Evans was "a hard man" who "drove us like donkeys."

Another, the legendary Kipchoge Keino, is reported said of him: "Can’t say that, at the time, I liked Evans. There are so many of his bullish tactics I did not like. But he got the job done. We owe a lot to what his programmes set up."

Evans was a fine sportsman himself, excelling at rugby, and today he still holds key positions in schools rugby and athletics in Cumbria. But, in his prime, he found little time for his own endeavours as his job became all-consuming. Progress was rapid. "We dominated the Central African Games in 1952," he says, "and then at the Indian Ocean Games we did the same. By 1954 I felt we were ready to step up to international competition."

There were exceptional individuals, too. Evans remembers taking Keino to altitude for an early and secret attempt on the four-minute mile. "He missed out by a fraction of a second - something infinitesimal." In 1966 Keino won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games; two years later he won Olympic gold at the 1500metres and in 1972 he triumphed in the steeplechase.

By then Kenya was established on the world stage, but Evans remembers when they were the poor relations. At the Melbourne Olympics one athlete, Arere Anentia, sat in his changing-room, unaware that his event had started. "Poor old Arere," says Evans with obvious fondness. "The Kenyans implicitly obeyed instructions and he didn’t know to leave the changing-room. I realised too late, but then I had to do everything: I was publicity manager, team manager, coach.

"When I started there was a high jumper, a long jumper and a javelin thrower, but subsequently all the Kenyan performances have been on the track, rather than in the field events. I think that’s sad."

There has been progress on the rugby field, however, and Evans is looking forward to watching the Kenyan sevens team in action.

"I’ll see all the rugby, but unfortunately the athletics sold out very quickly. If I can’t get to the athletics I’ll watch the Kenyans on the box. It gives me immense satisfaction to see them do well. They’re the ones I’m looking out for. Sometimes I wonder how much work they’re doing, though that may just confirm my reputation as a hard taskmaster."