'Under funded' AK to send a lean team to African Games

Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi on Thursday ahead of the tournament's trials slated for March 5 and6, Athletics Kenya vice-president Paul Mutwii said the Kenya National Sports Council advised them to plan for only 30 athletes.

“The organizers – the Kenya National Sports Council gave us only 30 slots. When we followed up, we were told it was due to financial matters constraints,'' a disappointed Mutwii revealed.

He elaborated that the forthcoming trials will exclusively accommodate a select cohort of invited athletes, emphasizing that a committee had picked 30 individuals slated for participation.

The experienced athletics administrator underscored that the committee's criteria had been firmly fixed on recent athletic performances as the yardstick for inclusion.

Notably, Mutwii clarified that those who will secure berths for the World Cross Country Championships trials will be ineligible for consideration for the esteemed All-African Games.

''We have a technical committee that meticulously selected the athletes based on their recent performances. That way, we were able to get the best to represent us in Ghana.”

Despite the budgetary setback, AK Treasurer David Miano has urged Kenyans to rally behind the team, saying they will still have a big chance to reign supreme.

''I want to urge all Kenyans to rally behind this team. Look at what we achieved in Tunisia last week? I believe we can build on the same to do well in Accra,'' a confident Miano said, reflecting on the Cross Country team which won the overall African title in Hammamet – Tunisia last weekend.

The 15-day continental extravaganza will run from March 8 to 24, with thousands of athletes expected to take part.

With a reduced number for Team Kenya, Kenya's challenge is more daunting than ever before.