AK President insists on need for Kenyan athletes to obtain travel documents on time
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 11.04.24. | 10:15
There have been several cases of athletes missing out on competitions for failing to process their travel documents in good time
Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei has emphasized that athletes must have their essential traveling documents, like visas and passports, on time. In the recent past, there have been several instances where Kenyan athletes have missed out on crucial competitions due to a lack of essential travel documentation.
Some of the cases that hit the limelight include that of Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, who was on the verge of missing the World Athletics Championships in Oregon following a delay in his United States visa. Two days before the start of the men's 100-meter competition, he had not received the visa. World Under-20 1500 champion Reynold Kipkorir also failed to secure a visa to Glasgow, Scotland for the World Indoor Championships. Another example is 2016 Africa 5,000m champion Sheila Chepkirui, who failed to honor the 2023 Boston Marathon due to a visa hitch.
At the same time, three juniors failed to link up with Team Kenya for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. The Serbian Embassy in Nairobi failed to clear Diana Chepkemoi, Nancy Cherop, and Gideon Kipng'etich, all 17-year-olds.
Speaking to the athletes after the World Athletics Relays trials at the Nyayo Stadium, Tuwei urged them to learn from the unfortunate incidents of their peers and ensure that passports, visas, and any other necessary documents are always up-to-date and readily accessible.
“Another challenge that is there today is documentation. Let's adhere to the documentation instructions, as we have limited time to complete them effectively. Currently, we require an invitation, and in order to receive one, you need to submit certain documents. Ensure that you present the necessary documents on time,” he told the athletes.
He also mentioned that timely presentation of the documents would prompt the relevant authorities to follow up.
“I will leave that to those who are involved with documentation so that you do it within a short time. Sometimes, we do not listen to instructions, and it messes up the entire thing,” the president noted.
At the same time, he congratulated the Kenyan team for the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, banking on them to register good results and qualify for the Olympics.
“For those who have been selected, congratulations. We believe that you are going to qualify for the Olympics because that's the most important thing. I want to wish you well. I hope now that you are going for the World Relays, you will do equally well as the cross-country team,” he concluded.
Meshack Baabu, Mark Otieno, Ferdinand Omanyala, Samuel Chege, Mike Mokamba, and Hesbon Ochieng will represent Kenya in the 4 × 100m.
