Kenya Prisons Service Athletics public relations officer Stephen Mwaniki is hopeful of a maiden national cross country overall title.
The Prisons department are set to host their cross country championships at the Prisons Staff Training College, Ruiru on Saturday, where a team to represent the department at the January 21, 2023 national cross country championships will be selected.
Mwaniki observed that they have been winning individual titles in the senior men and women's categories but an overall title has proved elusive.
“We shall be looking to select a strong team for next year's national championships. We have been winning individual titles but, this time, we want the overall title. We have finished runner-up severally but our biggest achievement will be to win the big one,” Mwaniki said.
However, he said they will have to work harder on the course to accrue maximum points now that they do not have junior teams to shore up the numbers like some of their competitors.
Mwaniki suggested a rethink in the classification of teams, separating juniors from the seniors, which has overtime disadvantaged teams without junior sides including Prisons Service, National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces and the Universities.
“We also lack many long distance athletes and this is where our competitors beat us. Cross country is also tough but we are trying to figure things out. We are rebuilding our team,” he added.
Mwaniki, who is also the Prisons assistant coach, said everything is set as they await the arrival of the rest of the teams on Thursday.
The Prisons administrative regions include Nairobi, Central, Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western.
Mwaniki also identified Prisons Headquarters and the hosts (PSTC) as regions.
“All the regions have confirmed participation. We (the hosts) have new recruits whom we hope will represent us well,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mwaniki said they will use the same course which was during the Athletics Kenya national cross country championships on Saturday, where a team to represent the country at the global show in Bathurst, Australia was picked.
Additionally, Mwaniki is hopeful of nabbing some sponsors ahead of Saturday's event to plug some financial holes they have identified in their planning.
“We received some funds from the government but it has not been enough. Making sure everything works out requires a lot of resources,” Mwaniki said.
