[Athletes taking on track in a past competition. Kenya is set to hold under-18 world championship. Photo/Nation]
Kenya is set to hold pre-trials for the World Under-18 athletics championships.
Athletics Kenya is however yet to set a date for the pre trials according to a letter signed by Team Kenya chair Barnabas Korir.
The main trials will be held in Nairobi in June and athletes selected from the pre-trials will battle for places in the national trials.
“Athletics Kenya in conjunction with the Ministry of Sports and the LOC has been coordinating this preparation in order to present a strong team for the Championship,” said Mr Korir in the letter dated May 2.
AK had proposed to organize a pre-trial competition for the athletes who attended the holiday camps but has been hampered by a packed calendar including national elections.
Mr Korir said the dates for the pre trials will be released as soon as the sports ministry confirms them.
“Due to a congested programme and AK elections, Athletics Kenya and the Sports Ministry is yet to set the date. As soon as it is confirmed, the same information will be forwarded to you,” said Mr Korir.
Billy Konchellah, a member the World Under-18 Nairobi 2017 steering committee said the pre trials will be held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium on May 5 and 6.
“Each region will send 80 athletes to the two day pre trials next weekend,” said Konchellah when he toured Sang’oro and Mogonga athletics camps on Thursday.
Nyanza South’s Mogonga has 61 athletes while Sang’oro camp in Nyanza North has 41 athletes involved in preparations for the pre trials.
The retired athlete was impressed by the two camps and was optimistic that some athletes from there will represent the country in the July 12 to 16 championships to be held in Kasarani.
“We came here to assess the level of preparedness and what I have seen is encouraging. The government will continue supporting these initiatives to that we nurture more athletes. Focusing more on field events and sprints will help us get medals in the events where we are not doing well,” said Konchellah.
The former world 800m champion was accompanied by Nyanza South chair Peter Angwenyi and his Nyanza North counterpart Joseph Ochieng.