NAIROBI, Kenya, August 24- Kenya intends to field a strong athletics team at the Commonwealth Games slated for Delhi in October.
Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said on Tuesday that 2010 has been a banner year for as far as success is concerned and is hoping the trend will continue in India.
“Most of the top athletes including David Rudisha have confirmed that theya re going to take part in the Commonwealth Games, including David Rudisha,” said Kiplagat.
The games which will be held between October 3-14 are set to be the biggest sports event ever India.
“We intend to field an athlete in every event including our traditional event and the 4x400m relay so we expect not less than 50 athletes,” said Kiplagat.
AK will conduct its trials on Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium with Rudisha, Alfred Kirwa, Nancy Lagat and Vivian Cheruiyot expected to feature.
“Our selection process has been and will always be 1-2 across the line and a wildcard selection. Whether our top athletes come for the trials or not, I assure you they will be in India,” said Kiplagat.
Kiplagat spoke as he received a Sh2 million sponsorship package from National Bank of Kenya towards the trials.
Meanwhile, Boston marathon champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot will skip the Commonwealth Games in India in October to compete in the Chicago marathon.
Cheruiyot, who clocked 2:05.52 in winning the Boston race in April had been named in a marathon provisional team of 12 runners, along with John Kelai, the 2006 Mumbai champion and Patrick Makau Musyoki, the 2010 Rotterdam winner.
But the 21-year-old has opted instead to compete in Chicago where he will challenge fellow Kenyan and defending champion Sammy Wanjiru on October 10.