Talent Is Everywhere, Opportunity Is Not

Talent Is Everywhere, Opportunity Is Not

Every time I step into a school hall, a dusty field, or a local tournament venue, I am reminded of one truth: talent is everywhere. You don’t have to look far to find gifted athletes with raw ability, hunger, and passion. What is rare is not talent — it is opportunity.

Across Kenya, I have met young players who can compete at high levels but lack basic support. No proper training equipment. No exposure. No mentorship. Sometimes, no one to simply believe in them. These are athletes who could go far, but their journeys are often cut short not by lack of ability, but by lack of access.

Through my journey with Global Fast Fit (GFF), I have seen how small opportunities create big change. A structured training session. A fitness routine tailored to performance. A tournament entry fee covered. A kit provided. These may seem like small gestures, but to an athlete, they are doors opening.

In table tennis, fitness is often overlooked at grassroots level. Yet footwork, endurance, and mental sharpness can be the difference between potential and performance. I have watched talented players struggle late in matches not because they lack skill, but because they lack conditioning. When fitness is introduced, confidence grows, results improve, and belief follows.

Talent needs more than applause — it needs systems. It needs people and organizations willing to invest time, resources, and consistency. That is why initiatives like GFF matter. The goal is not just to train athletes, but to walk with them: to expose them, support them, and prepare them for opportunities when they come.

Opportunity changes everything. When an athlete is given a platform, they rise. When they are trusted, they deliver. When they are supported, they dream bigger. I have seen this transformation firsthand — in schools, county teams, and national-level tournaments.

The responsibility does not lie with athletes alone. Coaches, organizations, sponsors, and communities all play a role. If we truly want to grow sport, we must stop asking where the talent is and start asking how we can create opportunity.

Because talent has never been the problem.
Opportunity has.