NAIROBI, Kenya, March 21 – Athletics Kenya (AK) have postponed the national trials for the Africa Under 18 and Under 20 Championships that were set for Nyayo Stadium this weekend.
The federation said the venue is unavailable as is the same case for Moi Stadium, Kasarani, which are the only two venues that meet the world-class criterion set by World Athletics (WA) for holding a competition of such calibre.
“This event is a World Athletics Competition ranking event and therefore AK is bound to have events in either of the two stadiums since they are the only ones approved by World Athletics,” AK said.
The trials have now been pushed forward to April 7-8 at the same venue with hundreds of junior athletes expected to register for the battle for a ticket to Lusaka, Zambia where the continental showpiece will be held on April 29-May 3.
Regardless of the setback, the federation have advised athletes who have a high chance of making the team to work on their travel documents, including passports to avoid last-minute disappointments.
“We strongly advice athletes who have the potential to make the team and have no passports to immediately start the process of getting the same. All school going athletes should be cleared by their school principals and their birth certificates verified by the school before the vetting day. We apologise for the inconvenience caused,” the federation said.
Team Kenya will be out to reclaim its reign as the giants of African athletics at the youth level, following on from the last edition of the championships in Ivory Coast in 2019 where the country finished second on the medal table with 17 gold, 16 silver and 11 bronze.
South Africa topped the medal standings with 26 gold, 20 silver and 20 bronze.
