Athletes in action in the women's 5,000m during the Nyanza South trials at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho
Athletics Kenya has promised extra vigilance during the age-verification process ahead of the Under-18 and Under-20 trials at Afraha Stadium in Nakuru County.
AK Youth Committee Secretary Joseph Ilovi said athletes selected during the regional trials are expected in Nakuru Thursday morning for vetting, accreditation and issuance of running numbers.
“We shall thoroughly vet the athletes to ensure they are within the required age. Age-cheating will not be tolerated. Participants must carry identification documents, especially original birth certificates,” said Ilovi.
The two-day trials, initially scheduled for the Ulinzi Sports Complex, will be used to select Team Kenya for the CAA African U18/U20 Championships in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Nigeria, from July 16 to 20.
“We initially planned to have the trials in Nairobi, but the facility (Ulinzi Sports) is not available. Afraha is in good shape and we anticipate a good two-day championship,” said Ilovi.
Afraha Stadium hosted the fourth Betika/Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in April, following major refurbishment and athletes described the track as ‘fast’.
After the trials, Ilovi said, the athletes will head to camp from June 30 to July 13, before their July 14 departure.
He revealed that U20 athletes must meet qualifying standards set by CAA, but the U18 category is open. They aim to pick a team of 45 athletes— 18 for U18 and 27 for U20.
Nyanza South will be represented at the trials by a 40-strong team selected during the regional championships held at Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho, in Kisii county.
Riooga Secondary School, one of the AK youth training camps, dominated the event.
The Nigerian championships, the third combined youth and junior event, were to be held in Oran, Algeria, but were moved for what the CAA said were “various reasons”.
