•The high-flying and swiftly rising sprints sensation made the remarks during a press conference held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday.
•He goes into the battlefield buoyed by a splendid run of masterstroke performances in recent weeks.
Image: /FILE
Commonwealth Games 100m gold medallist Ferdinard Omanyala has vowed to cement an indelible legacy in the sprints and inspire young Kenyan runners to become global champions.
The high-flying and swiftly rising sprints sensation made the remarks during a press conference held at a Nairobi hotel on Friday.
Omanyala stated he is willing to work with the government and like-minded stakeholders to develop a successful strategy that would pave the way for Kenya's transformation into a sprints powerhouse.
"I don't think I'll be here forever. I want Kenya to have a sprinting industry. We are hoping for government help and cooperation. We have the talent at the grassroots level. I began at the age of 20 but I want to inspire others to begin as early as ten years," Omanyala stated.
"I don't want to leave a gap. I don't want to ride the wave. I don't want the sprints to end with me. I want it to continue and I believe more sprinters will emerge in the next five-10 years."
Omanyala, who will test his mettle in the 100m race at the Kip Keino Classic tour on Saturday, has pledged to scorch the Moi Stadium, Kasarani track on his way to the podium.
"I'm at the top of my game, so believe me when I say I won't lose a 100m race this year," Omanyala bragged.
"Nobody is going to beat me this year. I am aware of what I have accomplished; I have worked hard and I understand my body and how I feel, even while I'm walking. The only thing left to do is to keep working toward the same result—setting records and winning the World Championships."
He goes into the battlefield buoyed by a splendid run of masterstroke performances in recent weeks.
The African record holder warmed up for the Kip Keino Classic with a new African 150m record at the Atlanta City Games in Georgia, USA after placing third in 14.89 seconds.
He beat the previous record of 14.99 set by Frankie Fredericks of Namibia.
"The only thing blowing us is the mind ceiling. I believe I'll break the world record someday," he insisted.
The decorated Kenyan athletics gem urged Kenyans to turn out in force to roar him on.
"The fans have previously propelled my seasons and I picked three wins in the four races that I did. I'm very confident about Saturday and I'm asking them to come in large numbers. I promise a good show," he said.
Omanyala will seek to replicate his sublime form at the second edition of the Kip Keino Classic in 2022 when he clocked 9.85 to storm the men’s 100m title, leaving the Moi Stadium, Kasarani stands dazzled in the wake of his landmark victory.