Ezekiel Mutua praises Richard Lagat’s support for Mary Moraa, highlighting the importance of strong family backing amid gender-based violence concerns.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) Ezekiel Mutua has lauded Mary Moraa’s partner Richard Lagat, a volleyball coach for walking with her diligently.
In the height of gender-based violence, Mutua noted that there should be room for spouses of successful athletes who have no ill intentions to be appreciated.
He explained that the reason behind Mary Moraa’s success is her spouse and her whole family at large who give her the peace of mind and rally behind her throughout her training and competitions.
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Ferdinand Omanyala acknowledges Kenyan women’s dominance in athletics and has urged his male counterparts to step up and focus on their performances.
“I think that’s why we’re celebrating people like Richard…that’s why we’re celebrating the entire family that is here. Like I said, the win of a champion like this is not just individual, she needs an ecosystem like this,” Ezekiel Mutua said.
“One that gives her peace of mind, prays for her and supports her. Athletes go through a lot of things, it takes a lot of mental stamina to be able to win awards.”
Dr Ezekiel Mutua was speaking during Mary Moraa’s homecoming after winning the Diamond trophy at the Diamond League Meeting final in Brussels in 2024.
He was amazed by how Richard and Moraa’s family embraced her and showered her with love upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Mutua explained that there is no major blessing other than having a husband and family that support an athlete and insisted that it was something he is pushing his initiative.
“To see Richard here, the family coming here and loving her, we have seen it and we were just keeping our distance and watching and it is so admirable,” Mutua said.
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The three-time world champion insists that Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce still have plenty more to offer the world.
“This is what we pray for, the mentorship that we are providing through Myogenic Africa Talent Academy is not just psychological but we want them to feel that peace of mind. Mary is winning because Richard is here.
“You may not see it but the peace of mind from the husband contributes greatly and we want to provide enough support.”
Last season was quite mixed for Mary Moraa who settled for a bronze at the Paris Olympic Games. Keely Hodgkinson and Tsige Duguma finished first and second respectively.
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Letsile Tebogo reflected on his career’s turning point, winning his first global gold in Nairobi.
She then broke Caster Semenya’s 600m world best in Berlin and rounded up her season with a second-place finish at Alexis Ohanian’s women-only event, Athlos.
In 2025, she has the major task of defending her world title at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, going up against the likes of Olympic champion Hodgkinson, former Olympic and world champion Athing Mu and Tsige Duguma.
