Omanyala, Obiri set to battle for Club Games slots

Ferdinand Omanyala dash to finish line in 100m race during Kipkeino Classic-World Continental tour gold in Nairobi. May 7, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] 

Thrilling races are expected to light up Kasarani Stadium once again on May 20 and 21 as athletes battle for slots in the team to the Commonwealth Games slated for July 28–August 8 in Birmingham, Great Britain.

The trials will be happening just weeks after Nairobi played host to the national Athletics Championships cum African Senior Championships on April 28 and 30 and later Kip Keino Classic last weekend.

Big shots among them African 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala who is fresh from clinching the Kip Keino Classic, world 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri and world record holder in 3,000m steeplechase Beatrice Chepkoech are in tentative list of invitees released by Athletics Kenya on Friday.

Abel Kipsang who set a new 3:31.65 Olympic record in Tokyo last year during the heats has also been invited to the battle for a place to represent the country in the Commonwealth Games.

Podium finishers at Kip Keino Classic-Jacob Krop, Daniel Mateiko and Daniel Simiu will be clashing for the 5,000m slot once again in the Commonwealth national trials.

In the 3,000m steeplechase, Olympic bronze medallist Benjamin Kigen and world U20 champion Amos Serem will be among 16 top stars listed in the AK tentative list for the water and barrier race.

World U20 1,500m champion Purity Chepkirui, Edinah Jebitok, Winnie Chebet and Nancy Cherop will be seeking to represent Kenya in in the distance.