Why Race-Walking Queen Ngii is confident of Kenya prospects in Budapest?

African Games 20 km race-walking champion Emily Ngii is confident of finishing in the medal bracket at the World Athletics Championship scheduled for August 19-27 this year in Budapest, Hungary.

Emily believes in her capabilities to stage a better show than last year when she finished 30th in her maiden appearance at the World Championships in Oregon, United States of America.

 “I have prepared and done good training, I hope when I go to Budapest I will do better than last year’s championship in Oregon where I had a small issue with my stomach, but for now I am okay and capable in the medal bracket,” Ngii said. 

The Commonwealth Games bronze medalist who will captain Team Kenya in the event is upbeat about their chances of coming out on top given their preparations with the support from coaches and the federation.

“The preparations of the team are okay, training is going on well so far I have not seen anything bad, so far so good. The coaches and federation are supporting us,” she said.

Ngii, 36, will be the first woman to captain Team Kenya through an honour she has embraced as a calling and is willing to take on responsibilities that come with it.

“I am happy and I give thanks to God, because if you have been selected you cannot refuse, it’s a calling you must accept. There is pressure, but as the commander, I will have to persevere,” she acknowledged.

Her inspiring journey from clinching the African Games 20 km race-walking title in 2019 to captaining the national team is a testament to her dedication and unwavering commitment to the sport.

She encourages students, particularly girls, to embrace sports and lesser-known disciplines like race-walking to enhance their character development and personal growth.

“What I can tell students is that walking race has taken me far, it has placed me somewhere, so I want to encourage parents if they see a child has interest in race walk please don’t discourage them by saying they will get hurt, just continue motivating them because athletes is good and will make a child grow well with discipline and will take them places,” she reckoned.

Team Kenya, which features 56 athletes, 32 men and 24 women, is scheduled to leave the country on Monday for the world event.