Kenya Prisons Service Athletics public relations officer Stephen Mwaniki is bubbling with confidence ahead of the department's Cross-Country Championships set for December 17 at the Kenya Prisons Staff Training College in Ruiru.
Mwaniki, who is also the Prisons assistant coach, said they have been observing their athletes during training and are confident of their shape ahead of the annual championships.
The department will use the event to select a team for the national event set for January 21, 2023, as the country prepares for the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst, Australia on February 18, 2023.
“At the moment, we are preparing for next month's championship and so far, things are looking up. We have selected some fresh faces and that gives me hope that we will perform well. As the hosts, we shall be looking to win the championship,” Mwaniki said, adding that they are making the final touches on the course.
“We also want to select a strong team for the national cross-country championships, from where a team to the global show will be picked."
Mwaniki added that they are keen to stage a successful event now that it is a precursor to the national show at the same venue.
He said they expect eight Prisons' administrative regions including Nairobi, Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western to participate in the event.
“We intend to have a meeting on Thursday to ensure we are at par with all the regions. We also need to know whether all the regions are still coming or changes have been made,” he said.
Mwaniki has also appealed to the said regions to submit their teams by December 3 to ease planning.
“Each region should enlist at least eight athletes and the names should be submitted by December 3,” Mwaniki said.
The event will feature 10km races for the senior men and women as well as the mixed relays.
