Athletics Kenya (AK) have announced a strong squad of 23 to represent Kenya at the second CAA Africa Youth Championships in Bambous, Mauritius from April 23 – 26, 2015.
The team of 15 boys and eight girls was selected during two-day trials process that concluded at the Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on Wednesday.
[link id=”199″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Athletics Kenya”] vice-president in charge of Youth Development, Lt. General (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei, called on girls’ to pull up their socks to enable equal selection in future.
“Team selection as well as vetting and confirmation of agents should be done at regional level to enable the national office have the names in time and prepare for the start list early.
“I also instruct schools to start registering their athletes before entering in competitions for our database,” he declared with age verification proving to be a problem at the Trials.
Athletics Kenya adopted a rigorous vetting system two years ago when some of the athletes who showed up for the inaugural CAA Africa Youth Trials held in Warri, Nigeria were prevented from competition when discrepancies were found in their papers.
Chebet to lead team
The Bambous-bound team will be led by Africa Junior women 3000m bronze medallist, Sandrafelis Chebet who recovered from losing a slot in the girls’ 1500m team where she finished third to win the 2000m steeplechase final on Wednesday.
Chebet won the water and barriers race in 6:26.0 ahead of Ann Gathoni of Coast who had led for much of the race before trailing off in the final two laps to arrive two seconds adrift of the winner at the end.
The team, which will be led by coaches Paul Kipkemboi and Esther Kavaya, are expected to report to a training camp on Tuesday April 7 at Nairobi’s Milele Hotel before departing for Mauritius on April 21.
[link id=”81″ tax=”category” text=”Kenya “]will be looking to improve her 2013 performance at the inaugural edition in Warri, Nigeria where they finished fourth with five gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
Team Kenya to Mauritius AYC 2015
Boys:
- Aron Kimutai (100m)
- Mark Sirere (200m)
- Jasphat Ng’eno, Patrick Mutie (400m)
- Kipyegon Bett, Sila Kimeli (800m)
- Geoffrey Kipng’etich, Emmanuel Kipyegon (400mH),
- Vincent Kilel (Triple jump),
- Emmanuel Kipngetich (Javelin)
- Brimin Kiprono, Kimaru Tarus (1500m)
- Davis Kiplagat (3000m)
- Vincent Kipyegon, Nixon Kiplagat (2000m steeplechase)
Girls:
- Damaris Akoth (200m)
- Betty Chepkemei (800m)
- Sandrafelis Chebet, Janeth Chepngetich (1500m)
- Sandrafelis Chebet, Ann Gathoni (2000m steeplechase);
- Emily Chebet, Sheila Chelangat (3000m)
Officials:
- Team Manager – Paul Keriako
- Chaperone – Matinda Soi
- Coaches: Esther Kavaya and Paul Kipkemboi
- Physiotherapist: Dr. Kevin Otieno
Meet The Authors
Yomog Meje is a former Nigerian junior athlete and the Associate editor at Athletics Africa.