Sprinters Mike Mokamba (left), Alphas Kishoiyan and Millicent Ndoro (right) were among the first group that departed on Tuesday Morning for the 20th Africa Championships to be hosted in Durban, South Africa.PHOTO/courtesy.
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 21 – Kenya’s contingent to the 20th Africa Athletics Championships departed on Tuesday in two groups for the biannual event to be hosted in Durban, South Africa.
The 74 member squad of 60 athletes and 14 officials saw the first group jet out at 7:55am while the last team departed at 12:55pm ready to rumble the continent during the five-day championship that starts Wednesday.
Apart from going for all medals available on offer, individual athletes especially in the sprints and field will be seeking Olympic qualifying standards ahead of the National Trials slated for next week at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
“We are sending you to South Africa to represent the country as well as attaining the Olympics qualifying standards for those who have not qualified and those already qualified to re-qualifying ahead of the Olympic Trials,” Athletics Kenya boss Lt-Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei said while handing the team the national flag.
The team, which has been in residential training since June 5 at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, consists of a blend of experienced and new talents in both the track and field.
All Africa Games Champion Alice Aprot, silver medalist Jackline Chepng’eno and Joyline Jepkosgei will lead the medal hunt in the women’s 10,000m while veteran Stephen Arita and Half Marathon specialist Wilfred Kimitei will steer the corresponding men’s race.
Mike Mokamba, Peter Mwai, Gilbert Otieno, Eunice Kadogo, Milicent Ndoro, Freshia Mwangi and Mary Tanui will lead the Kenyans in the short sprints while Timothy Cheruiyot, Vincent Leting, Judy Kiyeng and Emily Cherotich will compete in the middle distance events alongside others.
In the field events, national champion Tera Langat, Elijah Kimitei, Bethwel Langat and Mathew Sawe will roar in the jumps while Rebecca Kerubo, Nelson Yego will be featuring in the hammer and javelin throws respectively.
Team Members:
Men
100m – Mike Mokamba. 110m Hurdles – William Mbuvi. 200m – Mike Mokamba, Gilbert Otieno, Peter Mwai. 400m – Alfas Kishoyan, Raymond Kibet, Stanley Kieti, Boniface Mweresa. 400m Hurdles- Aaron Koech, Boniface Mucheru, Kiprono Kosgei. 800m- Boaz Kiprugutt. 1,500m – Vincent Leting, Timothy Cheruiyot, Erick Kiptanui. 3,000m Steeple Chase- Abraham Kibiwott, Phenus Kipleting. 5,000m – Mangata Ndiwa, Peter Lagat. 10,000m – Wilfred Kimitei, Stephen Arita. 20km Race Walk – Samuel Kireri, Simon Wachira. Javelin – Nelson Yego, Alex Toroitich. Long Jump – Tera Lagat. Triple Jump- Elijah Kimitei. High-Jump – Mathew Sawe.
Women
100m- Eunice Kadogo, Feshiah Mwangi, Zaphania Monica 100m Hurdles – Priscillah Tabunda, Veronica Chebet. 200m – Eunice Kadogo, Milicent Ndolo, Mary Tanui. 400m – Hellen Syombua, Margaret Nyairera, Maureen Thomas. 400m Hurdles- Maureen Jelagat, Jane Chege. 800m – Silvia Chesebe, Emily Cherotich. 1,500metres- Judy Kiyeng, Sela Jepleting. 3,000m S/chase – Norah Jeruto, Agnes Chesang. 5,000m – Sheila Jepkirui, Margaret Chelimo, Sheila Chelagat. 10,000metres – Alice Aprot, Jackline Chepng’eno, Joyline Jepkosgei. 20Km Race Walk- Grace Wanjiru, Linda Waweru. Hammer- Rebecca Kerubo, 4×100 Relay Damaris Mbula.
Officials: Team Manager- Joseph Kiget, Ass Team Manager Gure Sayid Mohammed, Chaperon Justina Chepchirchir, Coaches -David Kitur, Joseph Ngure, Benjamin Mbusya, Peter Saina, Pascaline Jelagat, Sammy Koskei. Physiotherapist Peter Nduhiu, Sarah Karongo, John Kyui. Team Doctor Japhet Ngundo.
