Kenya will field a relatively inexperienced team in the East Africa youth and junior championships starting today in Zanzibar
The two-day event will see Kenya will field a team of 15 in the U18 and U20 Championships.
Athletics Kenya (AK) Youth and Development sub-committee secretary Joseph Ilovi said they opted for an inexperienced team to give them exposure ahead of the World U20 national trials set for July 17 -18 at Nyayo Stadium.
The global showpiece will be held in Lima, Peru from August 26-31 and Kenya are expected to defend their title. Ilovi said they used the Kenya Secondary Schools track and field championships in Machakos to select the team.
Only three athletes sprinter Beatrice Machoka of St Peter’s Keberesi, javelin thrower Jackline Awuor, and Samuel Toili have represented Kenya at U18 level.
Machoka will double up in the 200m and 400m races while Toili, the regional U-18 champion will feature in both the 400m and 800m races.
Awuor, who won a bronze at the Africa U18 Championships in Zambia and finished fourth at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, will go for her maiden regional title.
Machoka, a double gold medallist in Dar in the U18 category last year, will hope to repeat the same feat in Zanzibar.
National Secondary School Games 100m and 200m silver Daniel Wasike of Riooga Secondary leads Kenya’s charge in U18 sprints where he will double up in 200m and 400m. In 400m, he will team up with Evans Kiprono. Elkanah Edwin and Kennedy Kinyanchui will represent the country in the 1,500m and 3,000m.
The U-18 girls' team comprises Esther Atsenga (100m), Rita Mwende (400m/800m), Nancy Jepng’etich (800m), and Bridget Ng’etich (3, 000m).
In the U20 category, national secondary school games' 100m and 200m champion Brian Okoth will spearhead Kenya’s hunt for medals in the 100m race.
James Gechuki, who anchored Riooga’s 4x400m relay to a gold medal at the nationals will double up in 400m and 800m races while Daniel Kioko will take part in the 5,000m.
In the 1, 500m race, Kenya will bank on Judith Jemutai for medals. Maryanne Lasoi is the head of the delegation and James Lagat team manager.
Betty Karanja is the chairperson while the head coach is Joshua Kahi. Nancy Chemutai is the coach cum caregiver.
