A total of 14 athletes from Kericho County have been selected to represent the County in the National Athletics Championships to be held from May 21-22 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Athletics Kenya will use the event to select a team to represent the country during the Africa Senior Championships set for June 15- 22 in Doula, Cameroon.
According to Athletics Kenya’s First Vice Chairman (Kericho Branch) Mr. Gilbert Kiptanui, the 14 athletes are rigorously preparing for the tournament and he is confident they will emerge among the top competitors.
“Among the selected athletes, some will be participating in the 10,000 meters, others 5000 meters and 1500 meters races during the National Athletics championships,” he said.
Kiptanui who also doubles as the athletes’ coach also intimated that Faith Chepkoech is getting ready to represent the country in 10,000 meters race in France this coming Saturday as Sheila Chelangat was also preparing for the 10,000 meters road race in Nigeria on May 28.
The coach was impressed by the sheer determination and focus of the athletes who trained hard despite myriads of challenges due to the lack of proper facilities within Kericho town for proper training.
Kiptanui who is currently training over 30 athletes in Kericho Town has called for speedy renovation and completion of the all-weather synthetic tartan track at the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium to enable the marathoners to carry out their training sessions comfortably.
“The athletes are now forced to train from different venues such as the tea estates, and Kerenga Airstrip, among others. These venues are not comfortable for athletes especially due to the frequent rains in Kericho. These alternative venues with uneven terrain put the athletes at risk of injuries,” added Kiptanui
However, even with the challenges, coach Kiptanui said the athletes worked extra hard in training for upcoming tournaments both locally and internationally.
By Kibe Mburu and Sharon Chepwogen
