Team Kenya
for the third CAA Africa U18/U20 track and field championships hits camp on Wednesday ahead of the biennial event.
The
championship will be held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta
City, Ogun State, Nigeria, between July 16 and 20.
Athletics
Kenya Youth and Development Committee secretary Joseph Ilovi said the team will
camp for 10 days at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
“We wanted them to report on Monday, but it was not possible. They are now
reporting on Wednesday and start immediate preparations,” said Ilovi, team manager for the U18 side.
They will train at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, warm-up track and Karura
Forest (for long runs).
The team
will be trained by six coaches led by national youth coach Joseph Ngisirei, Paul Kemei, Gilbert Chebet, Erastus Kabugi, Daniel Bor, Edward
Moti, and Monicah Okumu. Kabugi will handle the field event athletes.
AK selected
a strong team of 48 athletes for the biennial event during national U18/U20
trials at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru last week. The U18 team has 21 athletes while
the U20 team has 27.
Ilovi tipped
the team to put in an improved performance in Nigeria.
“In Zambia
two years ago, we fielded a smaller team since some
dependable athletes didn’t get passports on time. We are fielding a
bigger team this time, and I’m confident Kenya will assert their dominance at the event,”
added Ilovi.
The few athletes who did not have passports during the national trials
have already acquired them.
In 2023, Kenya finished third with South Africa emerging overall
winners, followed by Nigeria. However, Kenya won the U18 category.
According to media reports in Nigeria, the MKO Abiola International Stadium has undergone major upgrades, including a new tartan track. More than 500 youth and junior athletes will compete.
