NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – When away from home, there is always that feeling of relief and joy when you meet up with a fellow Kenyan or at the best, a person with whom you can converse with in the same dialect.
Well, Capital FM Sports Editor Alex Isaboke, who is covering the Olympic Games in Tokyo had a hearty time interviewing Mary Moraa after she booked a ticket to the semi-finals of the 800m this morning.
“Naki bono” – (translated to how are you); Isaboke horned ut Moraa’s attention at the busy mixed zone in the morning session in Tokyo.
Isaboke easily picked out authentic quotes from the 21 year old as they conversed in their Kisii dialect where Moraa was more than comfortable expressing herself.
Standard Group Sub-Editor Bismarck Mutahi was left hanging, having to adjust his glasses to see whether he could grasp a word or two. But it had to take a kind Nation Media Group Editor Elias Makori’s translation for him not to feel lost.
Well, is it about time our athletes travelled with translators to make the more comfortable?
Moraa, who won Kenyans hearts during the 2017 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi by while competing in the 4 x 400m mixed relays, said she will only give interview in Ekegusii dialect, luckily, Isaboke and Makori who both understand the language came in handy.
“Ngokwana egugusii, morigie e’translator (translated to I’m giving you interview in Ekegusii language you go and look for a translator). Luckily, Team Kenya Press Attache Makori, offered to translate for the rest of the Kenyan journalists and foreign media.
Meanwhile, Moraa the sole Kenya representative for Kenya in the women’s 800m, says she is focused to reaching the final and will be going to work on the mistakes she picked from her Heat, where she qualified third in 2:01.66.
Moraa, fondly referred as ‘Kisii Express’ however, was happy to transit from 400m to 800m successfully.
“I have been having challenges switching from 400m to 800m, but I am glad I made it swiftly. To qualify to the semis in 800m is a big achievement for me. I have never ran alongside stars like Eunice Sum, I used to hear about them running with Pamela Jelimo. When we are in the starting line up, and I heard my name being introduced I panicked because I’m just starting my career and by the time I get to their level it will take time, but since I ran with her (Sum) I have gained confidence and I have improved,” Moraa said in Kisii.
-Promise medal-
She added, “I promise Kenyans to give them them good results when I ran the semis, I want to get into the final and from there anything can happen. The humidity is not bad, the 2019 Workd Athletics Championships in Doha was extremely hot,” Moraa, who is coached by Alex Sang, who is Milcah Chemos’s husband, added.
She has a strategy going into the semis where she will meet the likes of Ugandan Winny Nanyondo, Renelle Lamote of France, Ethiopian Abitam Halemu and American Ajee Wilson.
“Reaching the 600m or 650m, 150m or 120m mark, I can kick well, I still have the finishing power because I ran 400m so when it comes to my races at the Olympics, there is still energy and I can sprint. In today’s heats, I did not want them to go ahead in the first lap, I maintained around the pack so that when we get to the 550m mark, I can speed off and be among the top the top three,” she revealed.
At the same time, Emily Tuwei the other Kenyan in the race finished last in her Heat, clocking 2:08.08, and she said a recurring injury slowed her pace.
“I ran with injury in my legs(calf), the injury occurred one week ago, I thought I was feeling well, but it aggravated in the race. The first lap was good but the second it was hard. I wish Moraa all the best and I want her to work hard and qualify for the finals, she will be representing us at least we don’t go home empty,” Tuwei said.
On her part, Nanyondo was happy to book a spot in the semis that will be ran Saturday (tomorrow) after automatically qualifying in second from her heat (2:02.02)
“The race was good I am thankful I made it to the semis, I am going to double, both 800m and 1500m, now I am focusing on the final.”
-Quotes by Alex Isaboke, reporting from Tokyo, Japan –
