Commonwealth GamesTeam of disabled want to end losing streak

The parasports athletes have one message for Kenyans: We will reverse the poor show of the 2010 Delhi Games.

They said preparations closed and the stage is set for the speed and endurance contest today.

The team, in which only 13 athletes attained the required classification, have their sights on the big prize.

They expect challenge from Australia, Canada and hosts United Kingdom, who will compete as separate states and not as Team Britain as in the Olympics.

Caroline Wanjira, a finalist at the Great Lakes Games, leads the T54 1,500m wheelchair onslaught as she hopes to atone for the dismal show in Delhi where she finished ninth out of 11.

“The training was okay. We hope these favourable conditions will prevail throughout the games. We are more experienced, armed with new skills on how to handle the chair,” said Wanjira, a finalist also at the All Africa Games.

“I want to improve though the classification appeared discouraging. We are urging Kenyans to pray for us to take medals home,” she said.

Samuel Kuria, sixth at the Delhi Games, said he has had enough experience to propel him to victory here.

“I have been focusing on time for the last one year and I have managed 3:35 mark in the T54 1,500m wheel chair category. That’s good improvement compared to the 4:05 I posted in New Delhi,” said Kuria.

The women’s line-up has Rael Akoth, Nelly Nasimiyu, Ann Ngendo and Eunice Otieno, while men’s squad include Jonathan Kipchumba and Gabriel Wanjiku.

Ann Ng’endo, who was disqualified at the London Paralympics over false start and making a debut at the Commonwealth Games, wants to prove critics wrong.

“I will surprise people. The thought has been racing through my mind since last year. Let me see if it will come true,” said Ngendo.
Rael Okoth, a T54 1,500m silver medalist at the Great Lakes, eyes the silver having scooped the wooden spoon in New Delhi in position 11.

“I have learned the sport well and I can win something here,” said Okoth, who comes from Siaya.

Samuel Kuria Ngige, sixth at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, will fly the men T54 wheelchair mantle alongside Caleb Henry Odiyo.