‘WARM UP’ PRAISES TEAM: Athletics coach Mwithiga say Team Kenya had exemplary performance

For John Mwithiga, the ‘commander in chief’ of the athletics coaching staff here in Brazzaville, the athletes had an exemplary performance.

With the master tactician, Mike Kosgey, former sprinter, Elkana Nyang’au, Stephen ole Marai and Elizabeth Olaba in the squadron, the veteran coach, better known by the moniker, Warm Up, has no regrets despite losing in areas hitherto considered Kenyan zones.

“These athletes were selected alongside the team that went to Beijing (for the World Championships). They were thus fourth, fifth and sixth. Some were even placed eighth at the trials. To me, this is the team to nurture for the future,” said the former Armed Forces Warrant Officer 1, who retired in 1988, while holding the position of the head coach of the Armed Forces team, which, like the Kenya Police team of today, had top cream athletes then.

In his stable were former world beaters such as John Ngugi, the late Paul Kipkoech, Moses Tanui, among others.

His last assignment as head coach was All Africa Games in Cairo in 1991. But he has been assistant head coach several times with cross country teams.

He recommends that Athletics Kenya (AK) should spread across the width and breadth of the country, and not just concentrate in certain areas.

He also says AK should diversify in other areas like sprints and field events, if we are to win medals in future games.

“Technically, athletes here have all impressed me. For example, decathlon managed a sixth position.
He said Kenya would have done well in 1500m, but injuries took a toll on Kenyans. Ronald Kwemoi was injured in the semi-finals and could only manage a fourth position in the final. James Magut, another strong candidate for the medal, did not start the final race, also due to injury.
But he was happy that sprinters are coming back. He blames managers who gave officials wrong advice which only suited their own interests, that made Kenya rely on middle and distance races for too long.
“We are now going back to the era of Kennedy Ondiek and John Gikonyo. We also had very good 400m runners like Samson Kitur, David Kitur and others,” he said in reference to gold medals won here by the 4x400m men’s team, bronze by the women in the same race, Eunice Kadogo’s silver in 100m and Boniface Mweresa’s silver in 400m. His only disappointment is officiating, which he said was wanting. Ethiopians, he says, should have been disqualified for pulling one another in the half marathon. He wanted to appeal, but was dissuaded by AK Vice President, David Okeyo, who told him time had elapsed.

He also raised the issue of programming. “We needed one programme for the entire event to prepare. Instead, there were so many unnecessary changes which affected the team planning. Warm Up also thinks coaches should be motivated, instead of being left to rot in the villages.

“They should be given the right gear and taken for refresher courses to update themselves with modern coaching skills.

“We must start early training. Cross country preparations must start now. Brazil gave out everything in their arsenal, and could not even win Copa America. Same as Kenya, we have given out everything.” he said