Kirwa gives Gusii Stadium thumbs up ahead of weekend meeting

National Athletics coach Julius Kirwa on Wednesday gave Gusii Stadium thumps up ahead of the AK track and field weekend meeting starting tomorrow. 

Speaking after inspecting the facility, Kirwa said: “I was sent by the national office to check this facility and I’m happy to announce it’s ready to host the fifth AK weekend meeting."

Kirwa said at the moment, they are working on the steeplechase barriers, hurdles, and long jump landing pit. 

“I’m confident Gusii will be ready to host the event which starts on Friday and ends on Saturday.

" I want to appeal to all the athletes who registered to turn up. There are a few issues with the synthetic track but it’s nothing to worry about,” added the veteran coach.

Kirwa, who was accompanied by AK Nyanza South chairman Peter Angwenyi, further noted that he was happy that the AK weekend meeting is back in Kisii after eight years.

“This field has produced top athletes. Athletes should come here and compete. This is a high altitude area which is good for athletes to test themselves ahead of trials,” he added.

Kirwa challenged the Kisii county government to rehabilitate the stadium to international standards and nurture athletes.

He announced that Athletics Kenya have plans to have specialised camps across the country ahead of World Athletics trials.

“We have already identified probables to train before trials. We will split the athletes according to available facilities."

Athletes participating from 100m to the marathon will camp before the trials. For example, sprinters and throwers will camp in Nairobi where we already have the facilities,” Kirwa added.

He said Kenya is keen to turn the tide in traditional events like steeplechase where the country is facing stiff competition from Morocco and Ethiopia.

Kirwa revealed that up to 400 athletes from the Armed Forces have registered to participate in the event.

“I’m especially impressed with the huge number of sprinters that have registered. From the first build-up in Mumias to Kisumu up to the latest in Mombasa, I’m happy with the high number of sprinters. We have a lot of potential in sprints,” Kirwa added.

According to Angwenyi, 900 athletes have registered for the fifth-weekend meeting.

“Most of the top athletes in the country will be in Kisii on Friday and Saturday,” added Angwenyi.

He said top AK officials will grace the event. "Kisii Governor Simba Arati is also expected."