PARADING PRISONS’ FINEST: Athletes to compete in two-day championships

Preparations are in top gear as Kenya Prisons parade their best in a two-day athletics championships at Nyayo Stadium.

Some of the stars who will line up for the event that starts tomorrow include 2016 Boston Marathon champion Visiline Jepkesho, sprinter Maureen Jelegat and Timothy Cheruiyot.

Cornelius Kangogo, who set a new Prisons record of 13:31.2 in men’s 5000m in last year’s event, will also line up to defend his title.

But while Prisons plan to have a good show, some of their leading stars will be missing in action. Some of the athletes who will not compete are former world championship silver medalist Silas Kiplagat and Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Longosiwa. The two will be competing in the first leg IAAF Diamond league in Doha tomorrow.

Speaking yesterday when inter-regional track and field association received sponsorship from Coca-Cola and Britam Insurance, Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons Benjamin Njoga assured of a good show at the event, as they eye slots to the summer Olympics in Rio. The Games will be in August.

“We are in the process of revamping our sports department. We are keen on improving sports. We know the value of sports. That is why we have produced stars like Catherine Nderaba.

Last year, we recruited some of the best runners around and this year, we are going to get the best talent to join our sports department. We must aim at being at the top of things when it comes to sports,” Njoga, who is also Kenya Prisons service Athletics Kenya Chairman, said.

Cheruiyot, who is a fresh graduate from Prisons College, will compete for glory in the 1,500m. He will also use the championships as part of his preparation ahead of the national trials. “Having finished my training, I’m now fully focused for real competition.

Tomorrow’s competition is just one of my numerous preparations towards the national trials.” said Cheruiyot.