Siyoi Athletics Training Camp athletes Charles Rotich, Shadrack Kipkoech and Christine Ndanu start favourites in this Friday’s Athletics Kenya (AK) North Rift regional meeting at the Ndura Sports Complex in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County.
Head coach Edward Moti exuded confidence the three are up to the challenge as they chase for slots in the North Rift team to the National trials ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Moti said the boys and girls from the camp are in good shape and ready for the regional show.
“The three are among the top runners from my camp who will be flying the West Pokot flag in the region. As a coach, I am keen to have athletes in the Team Kenya to the World Championships,” he said.
Rotich will be competing in 5000m; Kipkoech (10,000m) and Ndanu (women’s 5,000m). They will be up against the host county of Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, and Samburu which make up the North Rift region.
“I want the trio to emulate other athletes from the camp who have gone ahead to do very well at the international level. These are just a few who will be competing but I have a bigger team,” added Moti, who nurtured the Commonwealth Games 5,000m bronze medalist Jacob Krop among others.
As North Rift hosts their championships, their neighbours Central Rift that cover Uasin Gishu, Nandi and Baringo will be at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium, Eldoret, for their meeting on Saturday. The three counties hosted their county championships two weeks ago in preparation for the Saturday event.
Western Region, which covers Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga be at Mumias Sports Complex. The western region’s secretary Homer Mugalitsi said the region has seen the emergence of many sprinters recently—coming at the heels of the Ferdinand Omanyala effect.
“We are expecting a tough challenge, especially in the sprints and short races. The four counties have come up with the best teams and with such, all eyes will be on the sprints,” said Mugalitsi.
