"Kenyan team ready to spark in Africa Junior Championships" - Barnaba Korir

With days left till the 4th Africa under 18 and under 20 athletics championships kick off in Ndola, Zambia, Athletics Kenya director for youth Development Barnaba Korir has reiterated that the Kenyan team of 49 is ready for the event that will offer a platform for the junior and youth athletes to transition to this year’s team expected to feature in the world athletics championships in Budapest Hungary as well as next year’s Olympic games in Paris France.

The team - divided into the two age groups - has been taking training over the past few weeks at the Kasarani Stadium and Korir believes that the roadmap is complete.

“Our preparations have been smooth and yesterday [Monday] we had our athletes receive their training gear and spikes,” Korir said. “As you know we have two teams involved and I can say that they are very strong and should do much better than the team we had in Ivory Coast four years ago.”

Kenya in 2019 won the overall Under 18 title and finished second in the Under 20 category.

“I am looking at the new blood the team has and I think they are going to run very well,” Korir said, referring to the unique talent and experience the team had in Elkanah Kipkorir Chemelil who had the opportunity to have training in Miramas, France.

“We also have about three athletes who participated in the World Athletics Championships last year including Reynold Kipkorir and they add much experience to the young squad,” Korir said. “These are the athletes we expect to fly the flag and lead the entire squad.”

Korir also banked on the fact that the brilliant showing for the Kenyan youngsters in the youth games in Dar es Salaam last month will provide a platform for excellence for the team being coached by Robert Ng’isirei.

AK selects 53 athletes for Africa Youth and Junior Championships, targets winning it all

“We had a few challenges with tickets but the issue is now solved and the team will travel with Kenya Airways on a direct flight to Ndola,” Korir added.

The Kenyan team - that also includes Ferdinand Omanyala’s younger brother in the 100m Isaac Omurwa - will depart on Thursday 27 April for the 29th April to 2nd May championships and jet back on May 4th.