Ekwam keen on making relay team for world championships

Kenya Defence Forces' (KDF) sprinter Zablon Ekwam is set to feature in FNB Golden Grand Prix in Botswana, lining up for the men’s 4x400m relay.

This will be his second competitive race of the season on the distance, albeit not an individual race, and he hopes to help team Kenya reduce their time in the distance and keep hopes of being in Budapest for the World Championships later in the year.

Imeta hoping to run alongside Omanyala in Budapest

“The national record stands at 3:02.41, clocked as Kenya won bronze at the Commonwealth Games last year, and we hope to lower that time and move up the standings for a chance to feature and Budapest and consequently at next year’s Olympics.

This is also a challenge at a personal level to build on my speed as I also want to line up for the individual race in Budapest. While I cannot rely on the Botswana race to make time for the individual race, I am confident I will dip under 45 before the championship-qualification timeline expires,” Ekwam offered.

The 25-year-old travels to the Southern African country alongside other sprinters including Collins Omae, national 400m hurdles champion Wiseman Were, and Boniface Mweresa who competed in the second ASA Grand Prix in South Africa on Wednesday.

Other Kenyan sprinters expected to compete in the one-day Continental Tour event include Commonwealth Games 100m champion and African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala and compatriot Samwel Imeta.