STEPPING TOWARDS GLORY IN BEIJING: High hopes as first group leaves tomorrow for Worlds

Athletes training - World championship 800m runner Eunice Sum during her training session at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 1, 2015.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

It is yet another chance for Kenya, which is considered one of the world’s most consistent athletics powerhouse, to prove this statement right.

As the first contingent of athletes prepares to leave for the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championship in Beijing, they know all too well what is expected of them.

The team was on Friday hosted to a sendoff dinner by their main sponsor, Safaricom at their residential hotel in Kasarani. The first contingent will leave tomorrow.

The dinner was attended by the company’s Director of Strategy and Innovation Joseph Ogutu, Athletics Kenya Acting President Jack Tuweii, his deputy David Okeyo and former athletes Wilfred Bungei, John Ngugi and Billy Konchella, among others.

The star-studded squad that will battle for glory in Beijing got praise from their team manager Joseph Kinyua who said this was the most disciplined team he has ever handled.

He expressed confidence that the team will bag many medals at the event which starts on Saturday at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

“We are happy with the level of discipline we have seen in these athletes and we expect the same level to continue so they can win medals” said Kinyua. Mike Mokamba, Carvin Nkanata (both 200m), Maureen Jelagat, Joyce Sakari, Jacinta Shikanda (400m), Boniface Mucheru, Aaron Koech, Nicholas Bett (400m hurdles) and Francisca Koki form bulk of the sprinting team, which is coached by Geoffrey Kimani.

“We made a deliberate step to sponsor athletics because it unites Kenyans and that is something we are extremely proud of,” said Safaricom’s Ogutu.

“We hope to give the young ones an opportunity to excel in sports, and our objectives towards sprinting is being realized and we are happy to see the sprinters among the team to the world Championship.”

Meanwhile, Riadha House boss Jack Tuweii failed to touch on the doping allegations which have dogged Kenya’s athletes after yet another story by German’s television ARD that has accused Kenyan runners of systematic use of performance-enhancing substances.