Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya believes Kenya is on the cusp of a medal-rich outing at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, buoyed by the country’s standout performances this season.
Athletics Kenya on Tuesday unveiled a formidable squad of 58 athletes for the global showpiece set for September.
Headlining the team is Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya’s lone entrant in the men’s 100m, alongside reigning world champions Mary Moraa (800m) and Faith Kipyegon (1,500m/5,000m).
Also in the star-studded cast are world 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet, Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist Faith Cherotich, World U20 champion Edmund Serem and 2015 world javelin gold medallist Julius Yego, the country’s sole representative in the field events. Reflecting on Kenya’s stellar form this year, Mvurya exuded confidence in the team’s medal prospects.
”I think this year is a year of medal harvest. Just recently, we welcomed Faith and Beatrice from their record-breaking performances in the USA. We also had a junior team coming from Nigeria where they performed exceedingly well,” Mvurya said.
Kipyegon and Chebet lit up the Prefontaine Classic on July 5 with record-breaking performances in the 1,500m and 5,000m, respectively, while Kenya’s U18/U20 contingent bagged an impressive 34 medals (13 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze) at the African Championships in Nigeria.
Mvurya urged the Tokyo-bound stars to wear the national colours with pride. ”To our athletes, you are not just going to compete as individuals; you are carrying the Kenyan flag. Make us shine, we will give you all the necessary support. All Kenyans are behind you.”
”I congratulate you on a well-deserved achievement. The government is behind you. We will give you all the necessary support to ensure you represent our country well,” he added. He further called for support for the team as it prepares to take for the global event in September.
”We call on all Kenyans of goodwill and sponsors to join hands in supporting this team because it requires the support of all of us.”
Sports Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi, echoed the government’s backing, lauding the athletes and technical bench selected for Tokyo.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei confirmed the team will pitch camp in Eldoret’s Kipchoge Keino Stadium, with Nairobi’s facilities unavailable due to preparations for the African Nations Championship (Chan).
”Since the stadium here is already occupied, we will take the team to Eldoret where they will train at the Kipchoge Keino stadium,” Tuwei said. He expressed optimism that the selected athletes will deliver a strong showing on the global stage.
”Immediately after the Chan is over, we will bring them back here to Nairobi for the final part of preparations before heading to Tokyo,” he added. Tuwei hopes the selected team will bring back good results from the global show.
”I wish and hope those who are selected are going to bring back good results to this great country of Kenya,” he added. He also acknowledged the government’s and sponsors’ support for the ‘Road to Tokyo’ programme.
”We thank the government for the support they have given AK. We started this programme last year.”
”We also appreciate the great work that has been done by our great sponsors. Ever since launching this programme of Road to Tokyo, we have seen four sponsors come in,” he said.
FULL SQUAD
Men’s 100m
Ferdinand Omanyala
Women’s 400m
Mercy Oketch
Men’s 400m
George Mutinda
Brian Tinega
Kelvin Kipkorir
Men’s 400m-H
Wiseman Were
Men’s 800m
Mary Moraa
Lilian Odira
Vivian Chebet
Sarah Moraa
Men’s 800m
Emmanuel Wannyonyi
Nicholas Kebenei
Kelvin Loti
Women’s 1500m
Faith Kipyegon
Nelly Chepchirchir
Susan Ejore
Dorcas Ewoi
Men’s 1500m
Phanuel Kipkosgei
Reynold Cheruiyot
Timothy Cheruiyot
Women’s 3000m SC
Faith Cherotich
Doris Lemngole
Pamela Kosgei
Men’s 3000m SC
Edmund Serem
Simon Koech
Abraham Kibiwot
Women’s 5000m
Faith Kipyegon
Beatrice Chebet
Agnes Ngetich
Margaret Akidor
Men’s 5000m
Nicholas Kipkorir
Women’s 10,000m
Beatrice Chebet
Agnes Ng’etich
Janeth Chepng’etich
Men’s 10,000m
Edwin Kurgat
by TEDDY MULEI
