KENYANS CAME, SAW AND CONQUERED: Kamworor and company show how it is done in World Cross

WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP - KAMPALA kenya's Alice Aprot (silver), Irene Cheptai (Gold) and Lilian Kasait (bronze) celebrates their victory in senior women race during the IAAF World Cross Country Championship in Kololo, Kampala, Uganda on March 26, 2017. [PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

The atmosphere was electrifying.

From all corners of the world, athletics fans flocked Kampala – the land of President Yoweri Museveni.

And they were here in their thousands, in time for the sizzling action at Kololo Independence Grounds. Their thunderous cheers no doubt livened up the air.

Excited Kenyan fans, who travelled for the races in eight buses, were clad in the national colours as they cheered on their stars.

And one man stood out from the crowds; Mathew Kipchirchir. This man has been at the touchline in most championships, shouting his voice hoarse as men and women battle it out on the track. He was in Kampala too. He was in his trademark dress code; a lion skin, headdress, sandals made from old tyres, and garlanded with the Kalenjin ornamental plant, sinendet, which is used to bless heroes.

Kipchirchir, an Administration Police officer, led his bosses, who included Assistant Inspector General Henry Barmao and Joel Sang, the Nairobi traffic police boss, in the unending cheering.

They sang songs, all kinds of songs, to encourage the Kenyan athletes. “...Wakenya tusilale, bado mapambano (Kenyans, let’s not rest on our laurels, the fight is still on).

The international press scrambled to click away at the rare scene as Kipchirchir cheered and ran around the cross-country course.

Julius Ngera, the defence adviser at the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala, had to wait a few minutes before he could give his address as fans demanded more Kenyan flags.

Andrew Rotich, the 1,500m runner and a close friend of three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, played the Isukuti.

His presence in Kampala brought back memories of his father, Kipkosgei Chepsiya, battling Asbel Kiprop’s dad, David Kebenei, during the 1987 All Africa Games 1,500m duel in Nairobi.

At 1pm, President Museveni, accompanied by First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, arrived for the event.

Security in and around Kampala was tight as hawk-eyed military and police officers paced up and down, just in case of any unforeseen event.

Museveni gave a brief address before he introduced the 59 participating nations. Interestingly, Turkey's squad was made up of former Kenyans, while USA had six Kenyan-Americans.

There were three screens along the course for spectators to follow the action.

Athletics
Watch out for improved times at Lukenya marathon on Sunday
Rugby
SCHOOLS: Maseno School renew rivalry with St Mary's Yala in rugby
Hockey
SCHOOLS: Ng'iya Girls, Ageng'a Mixed, Kisumu Girls and Nyamira headline hockey
By Mose Sammy 11 hrs ago
Golf
Ireland Brendan wins Nakuru Captain prize