Blame it on Nigeria, Echesa says
Athletics
By
Denis Okeyo
| Aug 01, 2018
Ethiopia and Uganda shut out of the 10,000m podium fatigued Kenyan athletes as the Africa Senior Athletics Championship got underway in Asaba, Nigeria.
Arriving two hours to the starting gun after enduring a troubling two-day nightmare at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, the Kenyans were no match for the fresher Ethiopians.
Jemal Mekonnen took full advantage, leading his compatriot Andamalak Belilu Beata to gold and silver as Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich finished third.
Kenya’s Vincent Rono finished fourth as Kipsang Temoi returned fifth.
Earlier in the day, Mark Otieno (10.62 sec) qualified for today’s 100m semi-finals after finishing third in men’s 100m heats.
All the women representatives in 100m heats were bundled out. Joan Cherono clocked 12.20 seconds in sixth place while Fresha Mwangi finished seventh timing 12.33 seconds.
Elsewhere, Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa yesterday blamed the Nigerian athletics body and the championship’s Local Organising Committee for the tribulations of Kenyan athletes for failing to provide connection flight to Asaba.
Addressing the media yesterday in Nairobi Echesa said: “The ministry has been in touch with Team Kenya, has established the issue was traveling logistics and lack of connection flights.”
Echesa further said Kenyan Embassy in Nigeria was part of those who facilitated the travel for the Kenyan squad to final reach their destination.
The remaining part of Team Kenya arrived in Asaba yesterday morning on a flight from Lagos after 48 hours of agony at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
Kenya’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Wilfred Machage is said to have coordinated efforts to end their suffering.
Machage is yet to formally report to Nigeria for official duty.
“Stranded for the 2nd day at the airport now back to hotel yet we have competition starting tomorrow morning!!” Beijing 2015 world and two-time African men Javelin champion, Julius Yego wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
“We not sure if we will go to Asaba the place of competition tomorrow!! Nigeria has fail Africa CAA has fail African lovers of athletics,” he added.
Fellow Beijing 2015 world champion and men 400m Hurdles hopeful, Nicholas Bett, also took to the same forum to express his disgust.
Reigning world champions, Elijah Manangoi (men 1500m) and Hellen Obiri (women 5000m) lead a loaded cast of 61 Kenyan athletes that includes past and current world beaters who are pursuing continental glory in Nigeria. “Finally, we are leaving now to Asaba and we are competing today at 2pm heats,” he later wrote.
“Say what you feel, it’s not being rude, and it’s being real. And don’t let’s anyone’s ignorance, hate, drama or negativity stop you from being the best person. Nigeria is a poor, poor, country,” Bett, lamented.
“Team Kenya, welcome to Asaba Delta State. Let us take everything in our stride with our usual humility,” AK President, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei told Kenya athletes.