Spirits were high at Government Prison Kapsabet during the honoured reception of Brilliant Chepkorir who won the prison their first ever gold medal in a national marathon race.
Chepkorir represented Kapsabet GK Prison in the 10,000 meters’ race, during the National Cross Country Championship held at Eldoret Sports Club last week.
The prison department organized a homecoming ceremony for her for having achieved a feat that was never done before.
She was elated and grateful to all who had assisted her through her journey.
“I want to thank my family, my friends, my colleagues, all the head coaches, my personal coach and all the officers in charge at Kapsabet prison for their support each day,” Brilliant appreciated.
She revealed that the concluded National Cross Country Championship will also benefit her in future races.
“The cross country will benefit me as it will give me speed endurance for upcoming half marathons that will give me strength to finish in the time required,” she explained.
Brilliant also said that she is looking forward to a bright future for the prisons department in upcoming athletic events.
“We are training hard each day and we look forward to winning more medals, and next month I will participate in the Lisbon, Portugal half marathon so I need to keep practicing each day,” she revealed.
Her coach Catherine Kirui was in agreement with her.
“I believe that the secret to success is working hard, having discipline and determination and because we are given opportunity by the government to train, we must give it our all,” she stated.
The Deputy warden Kapsabet Prisons Hillary Kimtai urged her to strive for more in the upcoming international games.
“I thank Brilliant for winning us our first ever gold medal and I would like to encourage you to work hard more and more, so that you may get more medals in the international competitions that are coming in the next few months,” he said.
He challenged the athletes to take advantage of the conditions that they already have in order to achieve more.
“Our altitude here is good and conducive for training, our coaches have had foreign experience and so athletes receive standard training, that’s why I encourage you to follow the techniques given, because those who have, have succeeded like Brilliant here, “he said.
Arfon Ali who is in charge of the women wing in Kapsabet GK Prison laid down reasons for the recent success at the prison.
“We give our athletes ample and enough time to train, so they are well prepared, also we discourage use of drugs and doping, therefore our athletes are safe and their running is not boosted in any way,” she outlined.
She also encouraged male athletes to also walk in Chepkorir’s path.
“I encourage the men that next time it should be you who brings the medals back because I know you are capable,” she said.
By Geoffrey Satia and Daniel Ochieng
