World Relays : Kenya begins hunt for global qualification slots
Kenya's 4x100m men's team at the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China. It was the first Kenyan 4x100m team to qualify for a World Championship. Photo/ Athletics Kenya
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Kenya enters the global sprint battle with a 30-member contingent, led by Ferdinand Omanyala and Mercy Oketch, as attention shifts to precision, speed, and baton execution across five relay events.
Adding to Kenya’s presence off the track, Athletics Kenya executive Barnaba Korir has earned a historic appointment as the first African Technical Delegate at a World Athletics global event.
“It reflects the collective work that has gone into building the sport across the continent,” Korir said.
On the track, Omanyala leads a revitalized sprint unit as Kenya opens its campaign in the Mixed 4x100m relay at 15:05 EAT, drawn in Lane 5.
The team — Mark Otieno, Millicent Ndoro, Diana Lilian Awako, Eunice Kadogo, Ronald Kiprono and Steve Odhiambo — will be tested immediately against Canada, Nigeria and Italy, where clean exchanges could decide progression.
At 15:30 EAT, attention shifts to the Mixed 4x400m relay in Lane 3, where Kenya’s middle-distance strength will be put to the test against world-class opposition, including the United States.
Mercy Oketch, fresh from her national record run, leads the charge.
“We are not here to participate — our 4x400m team is targeting gold. We have the chemistry and the speed to stand on top of that podium,” she said.
The men’s 4x100m team follows at 16:30 EAT in Lane 8, before the women’s 4x400m relay at 16:55 EAT in Lane 4, and the men’s 4x400m relay at 17:30 EAT in Lane 6, closing Kenya’s Day 1 action.
Team manager Kennedy Tanui remains confident the squad iswell settled and ready to deliver.
“The weather conditions here in Gaborone are very favourable for Team Kenya. It is quite similar to Nairobi, which has made our acclimatization seamless.
"The athletes feel comfortable, and this environment is perfect for the fast times we are targeting,” said Tanui.
World Relays in Botswana Day 1 schedule.
15:05 EAT: Mixed 4x100m Relay (Lane 5)
15:30 EAT: Mixed 4x400m Relay (Lane 3)
16:30 EAT: Men’s 4x100m Relay (Lane 8)
16:55 EAT: Women’s 4x400m Relay (Lane 4)
17:30 EAT: Men’s 4x400m Relay (Lane 6)
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