Athletics Kenya are targeting a 100 per cent transition for the junior athletes who represented the country at the World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, AK Youth Sub Committee Secretary Joseph Ilovi has disclosed.
Ilovi said they want to see the juniors participate at next year’s World Championships in Budapest and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“With the young ones, I believe we have a bright future . The AK youth department will watch their steps and see them through to the seniors. We shall also follow up on their programs in the senior category,” Ilovi said.
“Most of our performing junior athletes just disappear when they transition to the seniors. We want to curb that tendency. We are planning a meeting to discuss the best approach in making sure our athletes are consistent.”
He went on and mentioned Noah Kibet and Emmanuel Wanyonyi as among those who are swiftly transitioning to the senior category. Wanyonyi and Kibet participated in the just-concluded World Championships in Oregon.
Ilovi applauded the junior team despite placing fourth in the medal table. “This was a young team and they were up against experienced athletes from different countries. They did well,” he said.
He added that, despite failing to get as many medals as they anticipated, most of ther athletes attained personal best times in their respective disciplines, which was impressive.
Ilovi revealed that the federation will also reach out to the junior athletes who did not make the team.
“We are also planning to engage with those athletes who just vanished from the scene and see how we can support them,” he said.
