IAAF World Junior Championships: Triumphant junior team jets back to a heroic welcome

Kenya national junior athletes and official upon arrival from IAAF World Junior Championship in Orego, USA ON 30-07-2014.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

The triumphant national junior team that competed in the IAAF World Junior Championships in Oregon, USA jetted back home yesterday morning to a heroic reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

The team, which bagged 16 medals - four golds, five silvers and seven bronze finished second behind the hosts United States of America which emerged top with 20 medals.

The championship saw the emergence of new crop of runners including Joshua Masikonde who took silver in men 800m behind his compatriot Alfred Kipketer.

Margaret Nyairera, a form three student at Tetu High in Nyeri grabbed a gold in 800m women race.

Despite the victories, Athletic Kenya (AK) is worried about the increasing number of runners changing their nationalities to represent other countries such as Bahrain and Qatar. Nevertheless it’s not a death knell for country at the moment.

“We were shocked to find Kenyan athletes carrying other countries’ flag. In fact, we are commencing the investigation, to know the brokers assisting our athletes to run for other countries like Bahrain,” said General Jack Tuweii, the AK vice-chairman in-charge of youth development.

“AK and sports ministry were never involved in the nationality switch and we will launch a formal complain to International Association of Athletics Federations.”

Nine former Kenyan athletes represented Bahrain with Ruth Chebet winning the women 3,000m steeplechase event in 9:36.74 with Roseline Chepngetich taking silver and her compatriot Daisy Jepkemei wining bronze. Roseline said she felt disappointed finishing second behind Chebet. I was so disappointed, I didn’t even talk to her after the race” she said.

Some of the 26 athletes who competed at this junior will be graduating to the senior level.

The runners includes the Africa Junior cross country champion Moses Mukono, Agnes Chebet and 800m star Kipketer who was in the team to World Relays Championship in Bahamas earlier this year.

“I am happy with the performance and now I am really looking forward to replicate this at the senior level. It was a good exposure and experience taking part,” Mukono told Feverpitch.

Among the guests who welcomed the successful side was the Kieni MP Kanini Kega who said they were proud with Margaret Nyairera Wambui performance.

Wambui, according to Kega will be privileged to have her school fess for the remaining next term and fourth form paid by the Nyeri County government.

“We are so proud of her as a county and I can personally announce that we have already discussed with the governor on this matter and we will settle her fees,” Kega summed.

[email protected]