Kenya U-20 athletics team flagged off for World Champs

Flanked by top Athletics Kenya officials, CS Murkomen flagged off a strong contingent of 22 athletes on Friday at Kasarani Stadium as he rallied the youngsters to cement the country’s legacy in athletics, adding that the team will be very key as the country shifts focus to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"We are sending you to represent our country, and we look forward to welcoming you back with all the medals. Go there and show the world who we’re in athletics. As a ministry, we are committed to establishing more sports academies to nurture young talent," Murkomen stated.

The team has been in a residential training camp at Kasarani Stadium for the past two weeks and is scheduled to jet out on Saturday for the Peru’s capital.

The CS also announced that gold, silver and bronze medallists will receive cash awards of Ksh 500,000, Ksh 350,000 and Ksh 150,000 respectively. 

"As your Cabinet Secretary I want to promise you that anyone, who will win a medal, I and my friends will each add Sh. 100,000.” 

Athletics Kenya boss Jackson Tuwei predicted a bumper harvest for Team Kenya after what he termed as “perfect preparations.”

“This represents one of the best transitions in athletics, as many of our champions have started their journeys through this path. The team has undergone thorough preparation, and we are hopeful that they will bring home more medals,” he said.

CS Murkomen further emphasized the broader vision for sports development in Kenya.

"We are sending you to represent our country, and we look forward to welcoming you back with all the medals. As a ministry, we are committed to establishing more sports academies to nurture young talent.”

Murkomen also highlighted ongoing collaborations between his ministry and the Ministry of Education to help cultivate future talent from schools.

"We have formalised our engagement with the Ministry of Education for schools to give out sports scholarships in order to grow talent," he added.

The CS also assured the public that the ministry is dedicated to ensuring that all stadiums built in the country meet certified standards.

“We will soon gazette the standards required for constructing stadiums. Once these projects are completed, we will provide sufficient training facilities and ensure that our teams are funded adequately so they can compete at the highest level without any issues.”

The team placed fourth overall in the 2022 edition held in Cali, Colombia winning three gold, three silver and four bronze behind USA, Jamaica and Ethiopia, who won seven, six and six gold medals respectively.

Kenya’s assault for a better show this year will be led by Africa 800m champion Sarah Moraa and silver medalist Edmond Serem, who are the captains of the women's and men's teams respectively.

“This will not be like Cali where we lost number 1 and 2 to Ethiopia in 3000m steeplechase. Mathew Kosgey and I have been working on our team work we raced together the Africa Senior championships and brought a silver and bronze. If all goes well, we shall bring a gold and a silver,” said Serem. 

Meanwhile, walking race sensation Stephen Ndangiri is brimming with confidence ahead of the youthful fiesta.

“Walking race has its toughness and mental endurance required for the sport. It was a challenge when I began the sport but eventually I coped up.

“I came to realize that if you make it hard for yourself, it becomes easier in the end. It will be my first time to participate in the world championships which I hope and I feel am ready for the task,” said the 18-year-old rising star.

Additional reporting by Mkalla Mwambodze